There was little between these teams but Ulster snapped up their opportunities to emerge narrow victors at Ravenhill.

Ulster started the stronger but failed to convert their better possession into points. Full-back Ross Collins kicked an easy penalty but after 22 minutes it was the visitors who took the lead. They stretched the home defence with full-back Aidan McSweeney making the extra man for John Lacey to touch down. Brian Begley converted. Within a couple of minutes the Ulster forwards were pushed back over their own line for Colm McMahon to score.

Towards the end of the first period it was Ulster who again had the upper hand and the pressure had to tell. Derek Topping was the first to score and then, following a quick penalty, prop forward Simon Best crashed over for Collins to convert both and give Ulster a 17-12 advantage. The standard of rugby deteriorated after the interval but Ulster did increase their advantage when Collins kicked his second penalty.

Following a line-out close to the home line Noel Healy gathered and crossed for a Munster try but towards the end it was the home team who had the edge. In the final few minutes a good break by centre Andy Mackey caught the visiting defence unawares and he linked with Collins who ran the final 30 metres to touch down.