Ulster 24-20 Newcastle

Two first-half tries from Nick Williams helped Ulster hold off Newcastle Falcons in Friday's friendly.

Impressive work from the Ulster pack set up scores for Williams in the 11th and 15th minutes with Paddy Jackson converting both scores at Ravenhill.

Alex Tait replied with a Falcons try before the break but scores from Michael Allen and Jared Payne in the third quarter left Ulster 24-8 ahead.

James Hall and Jamie Sole scored late Newcastle tries but Ulster held on.

Winger Tait ran in Newcastle's first try in the 31st minute as Ulster led 14-5 at the interval.

Jimmy Gopperth's penalty cut Ulster's lead to six points after the restart but former schools star Allen notched Ulster's third try on 53 minutes to extend the home team's advantage to 24-8.

Hall scored Newcastle's second try on 74 minutes with Gopperth converting while Sole ran in another Falcons try two minutes from time.

The match was Ulster's final warm-up game ahead of the Pro12 opener against Glasgow next Friday.