Ulster opened up their season with an emphatic victory over Morocco at Ravenhill last night. Encouraged by a solid platform built by a strong and well-drilled pack, Ulster opened up a 26-5 interval lead, before further pulling away with consummate ease.

Ulster had an embarrassment of possession, but at times showed a rustiness during a game which was played in extremely warm conditions on a lush green carpet, typical of summer growth.

It was Jan Cunningham showing lightning speed that opened up Ulster's eight-try haul in the seventh minute. From then on, the winner was apparent - while Morocco enjoyed the simmering heat, they certainly couldn't handle the hot Ulster side.

Morocco, playing an Irish tour before their World Cup qualifying tournament in Casablanca next month, found the pace, strength and nous of the Ulster side too much. Ulster ran in a further three tries before the break, with skipper Mark McCall, his midfield partner Stanley McDowell, and scrum-half Stephen Bell touching down.

The second try was a real gem, with David Humphreys making a half-break inside his own "22" before releasing McDowell, who linked with McCall, and it was the Ulster skipper who finally ran in under the posts. Former Richmond full-back Simon Mason, making his provincial debut, slotted over three conversions in a satisfactory performance. Apart from one high ball going astray, he performed his defensive duties well.

Morocco did break through in the 25th minute following an interception, when scrum-half Hamil Amina dived over in the corner as Ulster tried to run out from deep. But that was the only time that Morocco really troubled the Ulster defence, which was distinguished by some bonecrunching tackling, particularly by Andy Ward and McWhirter.

Left winger Andy Park resumed Ulster's scoring again two minutes after the restart and that was complimented by two Humphreys tries which were conceived through excellent support play between backs and forwards.

It was left to the impressive Cunningham to wrap up the evening.

His second effort was a gem; he left the Moroccan defence standing with blistering speed down the left wing.

Mason added two conversions to set the Ulster side up nicely for the opening inter-provincial game against Leinster at Donnybrook on Friday evening.

Coach Harry Williams was obviously pleased with his side.

"It was a very useful exercise," he said.