Edinburgh return back to winning ways defeating Ulster

Edinburgh 28 - 17 Ulster, Murrayfield

A clinical first half performance from Edinburgh saw them defeat Ulster by 28 - 17 in their Pro 12 clash at Murrayfield on Friday.

Flanker Viliame Mata (2') and wing Damien Hoyland (9') were the try scorers for Edinburgh in the first half while fly-half Jason Tovey added a conversion. Fullback Blair Kinghorn and Duncan Weir scored three penalties combined to take Duncan Hodge's men to 21 points in the first half.

In response, scrum-half Ruan Pienaar's penalty was the only respite for Ulster as they trailed by 18 points at half time.

Edinburgh looked relentless as number eight Magnus Bradbury strolled across the post in the 46th minute but it was negated by Ulster replacement Aaron Cairns' try in the 66th minute.

Even though replacement Jacob Stockdale crossed the line in the 71st minute and Pienaar added the conversion, Ulster went on to lose the game by 11 points.

Despite, the defeat Ulster is placed at fifth position while Edinburgh's third win has taken them to the eighth spot in the table.

Edinburgh head coach Hodge was pleased with his team's show on Friday and urged them to be more consistent.

Edinburgh acting head coach Duncan Hodge: "It makes last week all the more frustrating. To play like we have done the last five weeks and sandwiched in that to have last week, I'm still pretty annoyed, if I'm being honest.

"We've said all week that last week had to be a lesson for us - tonight we showed how we can and have to play. That performance tonight won't be enough in two weeks' time; that's what we have to think, and we have to keep marching on.

"But those guys should take some plaudits tonight for how they stood up to some world-class Ulster players. We stood toe-to-toe and dominated them in many areas.

"What we now need is that consistency and we've got to eradicate instances like last week."