RUGBY: It took longer than expected, but the class of the visiting Ulster side finally told on Welsh minnows Ebbw Vale in the opening match of the Celtic League last night.
It wasn't exciting rugby, but Ulster coach Alan Solomons will gladly take the four points earned from the boot of outside half David Humphreys and the pace of fullback Paddy Wallace and build for the season.
For Ebbw Vale, Wales coach Steve Hansen chose to watch them for the evening - spurning the Newport-Bridgend clash - but none of the home players said "pick me!" during the match.
The home side held last season's Celtic League semi-finalists scoreless at a damp Eugene Cross Park until the half-hour mark, when wing Sheldon Coulter was taken out chasing a kick to the line.
Instead of a penalty try, English referee Dave Pearson sent Ebbw Vale No 8 Will Thomas to the bin - despite winger Nick Wakeley being the guilty party - and Humphreys gave his side the lead with a penalty goal.
He doubled the score in the 32nd minute with a simple three-pointer.
It was a deserved lead, with Ulster winning the battle for possession and territory, but throwing away scoring chances with fruitless kicks to the corner and an inability to handle the slippery ball.
Their cause wasn't helped when experienced lock Jeremy Davidson left the field with a thigh injury after 28 minutes. Fellow lock Gary Longwell also began favouring a leg, but was encouraged to stay on the paddock.
Ebbw Vale could have gone into the break ahead when outside half Scott Mitchell made a great break past Humphreys up the middle, with Australian centre Martin Ridley taking it on, but the Ulster defence got back in time to snuff out the move on the stroke of half time.
Humphreys added another penalty goal two minutes into the second half, but was left shaking his head after missing a sitter on the 46-minute mark.
Ulster's South African back rower Warren Brosnihan was yellow-carded for foul play after 66 minutes, but Ebbw Vale failed to capitalise.
The home side had their chances, but former Connacht man Brian Shelbourne missed all three shots at goal, and their luck didn't change when Mark Meenan took over the kicking, with the replacement outhalf missing his only shot.
Humphreys added his fourth penalty goal, and a late try to Wallace gave Ulster a flattering 19-point win.
Scoring sequence: 28min - D Humphreys pen, 0-3; 32min - D Humphreys pen, 0-6; 42min - D Humphreys pen, 9-0; 70min - D Humphreys pen, 12-0; 80min - P Wallace try, D Humphreys con, 19-0.
EBBW VALE: R Davies; R Shorney, M Ridley, P Matthews, N Wakeley (M Rowlands 39); S Mitchell (M Meenan 61), B Shelbourne (A Bevan 77); A Black (capt), J Evans (C Bevan 40), D Jones (P Jones 72), N Edwards, O Booyse (P Sidoli 61), K Tuipulotu (R Williams 61), W Thomas, T Morris.
ULSTER: P Wallace; S Coulter, R Constable, J Bell, T Howe; D Humphreys, N Doak; R Kempson, M Sexton, S Best (J Fitzpatrick 63), G Longwell, J Davidson (M Blair 28), A Ward (capt) (R Nelson), W Brosnihan, T McWhirter.
Referee: D Pearson (England).
Edinburgh 30 Swansea 20: Late tries by Chris Paterson and Ally Hogg, along with several vital kicks from Brendan Laney, gave Edinburgh the ideal start to their Celtic League campaign at Meadowbank.
The Gunners killed off Swansea with a Laney kick, followed by a try from substitute Hogg.
Swansea grabbed a late consolation score through Kevin Morgan, goaled by Gavin Henson.
Neath 25 Caerphilly 6: Adrian Durston scored a try on his competitive Neath debut as the Welsh All Blacks opened their Celtic League campaign by seeing off Caerphilly at The Gnoll.
Ebbw Vale ... 0
Ulster ... 19
