Free flowing Ulster destroyed Bridgend at Ravenhill last night with a dazzling display which keeps them firmly on course for a Celtic League quarter-final place and may prove just the kickstart the Alan Solomons era has been looking for.
A great start and even better finish ensured a 6,000 strong crowd would go home happy and certain to return if Ulster continue to play such an attractive brand of running rugby.
Sparked by David Humphreys, who ended up with two tries and 21 points to his name, Ulster went in front in the second minute through a touchdown from hard working Paul Shields.
Scrum-half Neil Doak broke brilliantly to set up the second for young flanker Neil McMillen five minutes later and Humphreys added the conversion and a penalty to make it 15-0.
That was no more than Ulster's dominance deserved but some slack defence allowed visiting flanker Jamie Ringer in for a try which Cerith Rees converted just before the half hour.
An inspired Humphreys almost created a try for Lions winger Tyrone Howe on 34 minutes but the outhalf did score himself 60 seconds later taking a pass from Ward and diving over by the left corner flag.
Ulster would have been glad of a 13-point cushion turning into a strong wind in the second half but there were few alarms in a scoreless third quarter and then they pulled clear.
Bridgend lost possession in the Ulster 22 and sensing an opening Humphreys changed his mind about clearing to touch and launched a counter attack which ended with Ireland winger James Topping sending sturdy Kiwi centre Shane Stewart clear.
With his side now 20 points to the good and victory assured Solomons made a number of substitutions and Ulster regrouped before mounting a glorious final flourish which brought three tries in the space of six minutes.
Skipper Andy Ward was on the end of a forward drive after 71 minutes and then Humphreys sprinted home for his second after a great chip and take by precocious young fullback Paddy Wallace steaming out of defence.
Not to be outdone Ward soon completed his own personal double as Ulster ran riot rendering a last-minute try by Lion Daffyd James scant consolation for the visitors.
ULSTER: P Wallace, J Topping, S Stewart replaced S Coulter 70, A Larkin replaced R Constable 65, T Howe, D Humphreys, N Doak replaced B Free 78, R Nelson, N McMillen replaced T McWerner 65, A Wood, J Davidson replaced M Blair 40, G Longwell, S Best, P Shields, C Boyd replaced J Campbell 78.
BRIDGEND: A Durston, D Jones, D James, G Thomas, R Mustoe, C Rees, J Hewlett, S Van Rensburg, J Ringer, M Molitika, P Clapham, O Lloyd, C Noon, A Joy, A Griffiths. Replacements: C Loader, G Williams, D Fitzger ald, R Long, H Harries, J Funnell, M Peters.
