The Dragons got the scoring underway with a Craig Warlow penalty on eight minutes but two converted Ulster tries in quick succession gave the home side real momentum.
Full-back Bryn Cunningham was the first on the scoreboard on the 11 minute mark when he was on the receiving end of a beautiful David Humphreys pass which sent him over the line. Then, just five minutes later another good move from Humphreys gave centre Jonny Bell the opportunity to make a break off-loading the ball to winger Tommy Bowe who crossed the whitewash. Ulster 14 - 3 Dragons.
Dragons replied with a try for hooker Steve Jones just a minute later but Humphreys got a superb touchdown of his own shortly afterwards when he chipped overhead and gathered the ball to drive over the line on 21 minutes. He added his third coversion and slotted over a penalty before the end of the half to put Ulster well ahead of the visitors, Ulster 21 - 10.
The 7,500 strong Ravenhill crowd had high hopes of a fourth try and bonus point however despite the fact that Ulster enjoyed long periods of play in the Dragons half and the visitors had two players sin-binned Ulster couldn't convert their opportunities and failed to score at all in the second half.
Dragons centre Hal Luscombe sneaked a late try for the visitors, Warlow adding the conversion to give the visitors the important losing bonus point.
Ulster: Cunningham; Bowe, Bell, Steinmetz, Maxwell; Humphreys, Boss; Young, Best, Best; Harrison, McCullough; Best, Ferris, Wilson.
Replacements: Maggs for Steinmetz (28), Campbell for Boss (67), J Fitzpatrick for B. Young (49), Brady for R. Best (71), McMillan for Ferris (78), Larkin for Bell (80).
Dragons: Thomas; Brew, Luscombe, Sweeney, Fussell; Warlow, Baber; Black, Jones, Thomas, Hall, Sidoli, Ringer, Forster (capt), Oakley.
Replacements: Bryant for Fussell (74), Ireland for Baber (74), Brown for S Jones (80), Anthony for R Thomas (60), Charteris for Hall (51), Van Rensberg for Ringer (51), Maddocks for Van Rensberg (57).
