David Humphreys was the Ulster hero once again, scoring 28 of his side's 38
points to fire the Irishmen through to the semi-finals of the Celtic League.
The deadly fly-half had 10 successful kicks out of 10, converting both the
Ulster tries and taking advantage of Neath indiscipline to land eight
penalties.
Humphreys put Ulster 9-0 up with three long-range penalties within the first
20 minutes - one of them came from inside his own half.
But Neath got back into the game when scrum half Andy Moore forced his way
over for a try after Ulster had lost possession.
Jarvis converted but Humphreys added another penalty on 23 minutes before
Jarvis cut the lead with a kick on the half-hour mark.
A minute later Tevita Tiueti was given the freedom of Raven Hill Park as he
started a run from his own half, evaded two tackles and scored under the posts.
Jarvis' conversion put the visitors 17-12 up but a Humphreys' penalty five
minutes before the break reduced the lead before Ulster lock Mark Blair got the
home side's first try.
Ulster worked an overlap on the left. Neil Doak kept the move going with a
superb one-handed pass releasing the home backs on the right and Blair was in
the unlikely wing position to accept the pass and score. Humphreys converted to
send Ulster in at the break 22-17 in front.
Humphreys added another penalty four minutes into the second half but a
penalty and a drop goal from Jarvis cut the gap and the Welsh All-Blacks went
back in front on 63 minutes with another Jarvis penalty.
The lead only lasted two minutes before Humphreys added another penalty and it
was the Irish fly-half who set up a try for his captain Andy Ward on 70
minutes.
Ulster put pressure on the Neath try-line without much success until Humphreys
spotted an overlap on the right wing and his high up and under was caught over
the try-line by Ward who simply fell to the turf to score with Humphreys
converting.
Ulster had a late scare when prop-forward Simon Best was sin-binned on 72
minutes.
Jarvis scored another long-range penalty only for the Ulster pack to rally and
man-of-the-match Humphreys to seal victory with a penalty in the closing
stages.
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