Ulster 36 Cardiff 17

With their challenge about to steepen for the last four games, this game had to be banked and Ulster delivered which was fitting on the night Chris Henry returned to playing following his career-threatening health issues.

Ulster lost control of a game they led 21-0 before a strong finish saw them bag two late tries to secure the game and the vital bonus point.

Ulster opened up with a dazzling try after just two minutes with the in-form Craig Gilroy dancing over. Ruan Pienaar converted. Stuart Olding was injured and then the game was then held up for an even longer period as Rhys Patchell was stretchered off after seven minutes with Nick Williams being shown yellow.

Ulster struck next with Pienaar landing a 14th minute penalty to take the lead to 10-0.

This became 15-0 three minutes later when Louis Ludik smashed his way over. Pienaar added a penalty to make it 18-0

Upon the resumption Pienaar’s third penalty made it 21-0. Cardiff finally got something on the scoreboard when Gareth Anscombe - nailed a penalty after 45 minutes.

But a marvellous try from sub Tom Isaacs just after the 50 minutes stung the home side with Anscombe’s conversion making it 21-10.

Even though Henry’s appearance from the bench on 58 minutes lifted the crowd, Alex Cuthbert scored a cracking try just after the hour with Anscombe’s conversion now cutting Ulster’s lead to 21-17.

Ulster badly needed a score and got it through Pienaar’s fourth penalty in the 65th minute before he departed hurt.

From there they pushed on. Ludik’s second came from an Ian Humphreys cross-kick before Paul Marshall bagged the bonus point with Humphreys converting.

ULSTER: L Ludik; C Gilroy, D Cave (capt), S Olding, M Allen, P Jackson, R Pienaar; C Black, R Herring, W Herbst, D Tuohy, F Van der Merwe, I Henderson, C Ross, N Williams.

Replacements: R Scholes for S Olding (2 mins); R Diack for D Tuohy (51mins); C Henry for C Ross (58); B Ross for W Herbst (65), P Marshall for R Pienaar (70); A Warwick for C Black (70). CARDIFF BLUES: R Patchell, A Cuthbert, C Allen, G Evans, L Amorosino, G Anscombe, L Williams; S Hobbs, M Rees (capt), A Jones, J Hoeta, L Reed, J Turnbull, E Jenkins, J Navidi.

Replacements: T Isaacs for C Allen (4mins); G Davies for R Pathcell (7); M Vosawai for J Navidi (50); S Andrews for A Jones (55), M Cook for J Hoeta (64). Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)