Summary

  • Ulster 49-26 Dragons (result)

Live Reporting

Glenn Kelly

  1. Over and out

    That's all from us on a try-laden night of high scoring at Kingspan Stadium.

    Ulster get back to winning ways in front of their home crowd in their first match since the departure of Dan McFarland.

    As the Six Nations takes centre stage again, another three-week break is heading Ulster's way before a two-match URC tour to South Africa which will see Richie Murphy take interim charge and the Irish province face the Sharks and the Stormers on the final two Saturdays in March.

    We'll be back then with more live text coverage, but for now it's goodbye and goodnight.

  2. Full-time

    FT: Ulster 49-26 Dragons

    It's all over at the Kingspan!

    The whistle goes and Ulster will be pleased with their attack but perhaps not so much their defence.

    A brace of second-half tries from David McCann and one from Nick Timoney ensured the win.

    The Dragons battled hard but paid for some poor defending.

    Ulster rise from 10th to fifth in the standings as the Dragons languish in 15th. It is a winning start for Ulster coach Dan Soper as he keeps the seat warm for the incoming Richie Murphy.

  3. try

    Try Ulster 49-26 Dragons

    Penalty (80 mins)

    It's a four-try bonus point for the Dragons.

    The maul once again causing all sorts of havoc for the home side and they collapse on their own try line. The referee has seen enough and heads for the posts to award a penalty try.

  4. try

    Try Ulster 49-19 Dragons

    David McCann (76 mins)

    The crowd barely has time to pause for a breath at the Kingspan.

    Substitute Luke Marshall with a fantastic burst into the Dragons 22, before offloading in the tackle into the waiting arms of David McCann who grabs his second of the night with an easy jog in from 15 metres.

    Cooney grabs the extra two once more.

  5. try

    Try Ulster 42-19 Dragons

    Nick Timoney (73 mins)

    Fantastic hands all over the park from Ulster.

    Nathan Doak, Kieran Treadwell and Jacob Stockdale all involved as the ball makes its way left.

    Eventually Nick Timoney gets his mitts on the ball and races over from 10 metres. superb attacking from the men in white.

    Cooney maintains his 100% record with the conversion

  6. try

    Try Ulster 35-19 Dragons

    Brodie Coughlan (65 mins)

    After a TMO check the try is awarded.

    Brodie Coughlan pushes over from close range after a number of rucks close to the Ulster line.

    The Dragons certainly aren't going down without a fight.

    Will Reed makes no mistake this time from close in front.

  7. Ulster 35-12 Dragons

    But Ulster turn the ball over on their own try line.

    My goodness, excellent play from Sean Reffell.

  8. Ulster 35-12 Dragons

    Dragons again using the maul as a tactic and Ulster have little option but to collapse it and give away a penalty five metres from their try line.

    Maul again form the lineout?

  9. try

    Try Ulster 35-12 Dragons

    David McCann (57 mins)

    Ulster have their first try of the second half.

    Some good hands by Sean Reffell in midfield allows Ulster to spread the ball wide left, and that man David McCann with a charge in from five metres, with some nice footwork on the way.

    Cooney grabs the conversion from out left, fantastic kicking tonight from the Dubliner.

  10. Replacement

    Ulster 28-12 Dragons

    Jacob Stockdale, Nathan Doak and Sean Reffell all on for the home side now.

  11. try

    Try Ulster 28-12 Dragons

    Matthew Screech (52 mins)

    The Dragons get their just rewards with a touch down.

    Their maul again is a real weapon easing Ulster back towards their own line. After a couple of rucks, it's Matthew Screech with his first try in two years for the visitors will a lunge over from close range.

    Will Reed surprisingly hits the post from in front.

  12. Ulster 28-7 Dragons

    Ulster infringe on the ground and the Dragons get a penalty.

    They kick to the corner 10 metres out.

  13. Ulster 28-7 Dragons

    The Dragons now with their first period of pressure in the second half.

    Fly-half Will Reed pulling the strings nicely as they head towards the Ulster 22.

  14. Ulster 28-7 Dragons

    So close!

    After a maul collapses off the lineout, Ulster break clear.

    Top-scorer for Ulster Tom Stewart picks the ball up at the base of a ruck but as he is tackled over the line he loses control of the ball.

    The hosts should really be out of sight by now.

  15. Ulster 28-7 Dragons

    Ulster lineout five metres out from the Dragons line, can they make it count

  16. CLOSE!

    Ulster 28-7 Dragons

    Ulster have started this half on top and could so nearly have another try.

    Will Addison bursts through the midfield and it looks like all he has to do is pop a pass inside to Mike Lowry for the finish, however, he slips at the crucial moment and the ball goes forward.

  17. Kick-off

    Ulster 28-7 Dragons

    Billy Burns gets us back underway at the Kingspan.

  18. Half-time

    HT: Ulster 28-7 Dragons

    Tries from Will Addison, Harry Sheridan and a brace from Mike Lowry have Ulster in full control at the break.

    James Benjamin scored early for the visitors, but the Welsh side have tired as the half progressed and now face an uphill battle to stay in this game in the second period.

  19. State of "Origin"

    Ulster 28-7 Dragons

    It's Origin weekend in the URC which means players are encouraged to wear their first club's socks a-la Barbarians.

    I wonder is all the sock styles playing havoc with the Dragons' player's eyes??

  20. try

    Try Ulster 28-7 Dragons

    Mike Lowry (33 mins)

    Ulster have the bonus point in the bag before half-time!

    After a short TMO check, the try is awarded.

    The Dragons are sucked in to cover some big carries close to their posts.

    Billy Burns then gets his hands on the ball and pops a delightful pass to Jude Postlethwaite, who in turn offloads in the tackle for Mike Lowry to beat the defence from five metres out.

    Cooney is perfect from the tee.