European Cup: Ulster - 22 Gwent Dragons - 0 Ulster avenged their opening-round defeat at Gwent Dragons, which ultimately cost them a place in the quarter-finals, with a handsome victory over the Welsh side at Ravenhill last night to end their campaign in style.
Alan Solomons's side went into the contest knowing they required a bonus-point victory, coupled with Stade Francais taking nothing from their visit to Leicester Tigers last night, if they were to secure second place in Pool One.
Despite overwhelming the visitors in the first half, Ulster could not manage the bonus point but it mattered little, with Stade Francais landing a surprise victory at Leicester to progress to the quarter-finals and leave Ulster in third place.
Of more significance for Ireland was a sublime performance by Ulster outhalf David Humphreys. Before having to retire with a shoulder injury, the Ulsterman produced a scintillating performance in front of Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan.
After a subdued start, Ulster burst into life and by the half-hour mark were three tries to the good, the second a sensational 80-metre effort from Humphreys.
For the first, his high ball created havoc in the visitors' defence and when ball was won for Ulster, Humphreys attacked the blindside and his floated pass put Andy Ward charging up the touchline. Ward's pass put hooker Paul Shields over in the fifth minute.
After Neil Doak looked to have been obstructed by Dragons full-back Percy Montgomery and Humphreys missed the penalty, Ulster struck again. Humphreys hacked ahead Craig Warlow's chip deep in the Ulster 22. The outhalf raced upfield, hacking the ball on three times without breaking his stride to score.
Ulster came close to adding a third when another break by Doak put Ward into the danger zone, but the flanker's pass to Matt McCullough was adjudged to have gone forward.
Then, on the half-hour mark Ulster took control when they went over for try number three, with Humphreys again the catalyst. Ulster began an attack from inside their own half, with Humphreys bursting up the blindside. He accelerated away before his pass put Tyrone Howe in the clear to race over.
The interval offered little respite for the visitors, as Ulster set about their task of a fourth try and bonus point. When Humphreys was forced to leave the field, they lost their way.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 5 mins: Shields try, 5-0; 18 mins: Humphreys try and con, 12-0; 30 mins: Howe try, Humphreys con, 19-0; 36 mins: Humphreys pen, 22-0.
ULSTER: B Cunningham; J Topping, S Mallon, P Steinmetz, T Howe; D Humphreys, N Doak; R Kempson, P Shields, R Moore, G Longwell, M McCullough, A Ward (capt), N Best, R Wilson. Replacements: S Best for R Moore (60 mins), M Mustchin for G Longwell (60 mins), A Larkin for D Humphreys (62 mins), M Sexton for P Shields (69 mins), W Brosnihan for N Best (70 mins), K Campbell for N Doak (72 mins), P Wallace for S Mallon (72 mins)
GWENT DRAGONS: P Montgomery; N Brew, H Luscombe, A Marinos (capt), B Breeze; C Warlow, R Jones; R Snow, P Young, R Thomas, I Gough, P Sidoli, R Oakley, J Ringer, M Owen. Replacements: S Tuipulotu for C Warlow (57 mins); S Jones for P Young (57 mins), C Anthony for R Thomas (57 mins), R Beattie for R Oakley (67 mins), G Baber for R Jones (74 mins), S Winn for A Marinos (79 mins), A Black for R Snow (79 mins)Sin bin: J Ringer (Dragons)
Referee: J Dume (FFR)
