Ironically it was former Ulster favourite, flanker Warren Brosnihan, now part of The Bulls Super 12 Squad, that got the first touchdown on 29 minutes, converted by Houggard to give the Bulls a 7 – 3 lead.
The Bulls pressured Ulster and a mistake from Rowan Frost who tipped a line-out ball into the waiting hands of lock Danie Rossouw gifted the South Africans an easy score on 36 minutes.
The Bulls notched up a third try before half-time when centre Etienne Both touched down after winger Trompie Nontshinga intercepted Shane Stewart’s pass. Houggard converted to give the Bulls a 19 – 3 half-time lead.
Conditions at Ravenhill deteriorated in the second half as the rain lashed down. As Ulster Coach Mark McCall made a raft of substitutions, two penalties on 47 and 52 minutes from Larkin and his replacement Paddy Wallace kept Ulster in touch. However, in difficult conditions Ulster were unable to break the South African’s line and The Bulls scored their fourth try of the game on 62 minutes when the forwards drove flanker Wannenburgh over.
Ulster resume their Celtic League season next weekend with an away trip to Newport to face the Dragons while The Bulls return to South Africa on Saturday to make final preparations before their Super 12 season commences against the Cats in two weeks time.
Ulster: B Cunningham; Young, Steinmetz, Stewart, Howe; Larkin, Campbell, S Best, R Best, Moore, Longwell, Frost, Feather, capt, N Best, Wilson.
Replacements: McCormack, Shields, Fitzpatrick, Barker, Mustchin, Mallon, Wallace, Spee.
Bulls: J Roets; R Loubscher, B Habana, E Botha, T Nonshinga; D Hougaard, F de Preez; K Lesing, D Coetzee, R Bands, D Rossouw, V Matfield, P Wannenburg, W Brosnihan, A Leonard.
Replacements: G Botha, W Roux, B Botha, J Cronje, H Adams, M Steyn, JP Nel, A Human, J Mametsa.
