Alan Solomons’ men came back from 3-19 down to nearly steal the match at the death, but their inability to defend against the pace of Blues fullback Rhys Williams and the power of centre Tom Shanklin cost them the chance to go three points clear at the top of the table. As it is, the losing bonus point is enough to keep them ahead of the Llanelli Scarlets on points difference. The Blues made the livelier start, but it was the 12th minute before they turned the territory into points against a well-drilled Ulster defence. David Humphreys failed to find touch with a clearing kick and fullback Williams was involved three times in a 70-metre move that ended in a try for Shanklin. Humphreys replied with a dropped goal as Blues kickers Nicky Robinson and Iestyn Harris missed five shots at the posts between them, but the home side had the final say of the half when Williams shrugged his way through several defenders to score a soft try. The Blues were in again in the opening minutes of the second half when Shanklin snared his second after a skilful break from Robinson. Harris’ conversion took his side out to a 19-3 lead after 42 minutes, and Andy Ward’s men had a mountain to climb.Robinson helped the visitors’ cause by earning a 54th-minute yellow card for reckless use of the boot, and hard-working prop Simon Best gave visiting fans some hope with a try from a close-range lineout. Robinson had just returned to the field when his skipper Martyn Williams was carded for a professional foul, and Ulster took immediate advantage when replacement backrower Warren Brosnihan went over the try-line with hisfirst touch of the game. Humphreys came within inches of the winning try in the 77th minute, but the Blues held on for a crucial win as they battle to keep their Heineken Cup spot next season.A minute’s silence was held before the kick-off in the memory of John McCall, the Ulster Schools captain who died during a match at the Under-19 World Cup in Durban last week.
