Ulster 25 Cardiff 06
David Humphreys kicked 20 points tonight as Ulster recorded their first victory in Heineken Cup Pool 6 to condemn Cardiff to almost certain elimination from the competition at Ravenhill.
Humphreys, who only got the green light to play this morning after passing a late fitness test on his ankle, landed five penalties a drop-goal and converted Scott Young's first half try as Cardiff slumped to their second successive defeat in the tournament's 'pool of death'.
Ulster completely dominated in terms of possession and territory and would have been disappointed at their 10-point advantage at the break as they led 13-3.
Given their supposed lack of power up front, Cardiff opened the game employing a driving maul from the line-out to great effect and took the lead with a sixth-minute penalty by Iestyn Harris after flanker Rob Appleyard almost dived over from a quick tap.
But Ulster's response was immediate and the 1999 champions proceeded to take a tight grip on the remainder of the half.
After losing Lions wing Tyrone Howe, who limped off with a hamstring strain, Humphreys levelled the scores with a penalty following strong break by Shane Stewart.
Ulster raised the tempo and should have gone further ahead after four attempts at push-over tries from five-metre scrums.
Their efforts came to nothing and a Humphreys penalty in the 30th minute seemed like a poor return for their pressure.
The breakthrough finally came just before the interval when after a quality line-out take from Tony McWhirter and, after a couple of drives to suck in the opposition defence, Humphreys put substitute Young over for the opening try. Humphreys' conversion gave Ulster a commanding lead and the Irish international extended his side's advantage to 13 within a minute of the restart with his third penalty.
Cardiff knew the game was slipping away from them and to their credit responded with spirited resistance, Harris cutting the lead with a 48th-minute penalty.
It was Ulster's turn to absorb pressure and it took some relieving punts by Humphreys and Young to break the siege. When Humphreys landed his fourth penalty in the 65th minute after a wonderful steal in the line-out by Mark Blair, the home side turned the screw.
Humphreys added a drop-goal and his fifth penalty to seal a comprehensive victory.