Ulster produced a powerful performance to match a superb result as they humbled the URC Champions, DHL Stormers, by a whopping 35-5 margin in Belfast tonight.

Ulster produced a powerful performance to match a superb result as they humbled the URC Champions, DHL Stormers, by a whopping 35-0 margin in Belfast tonight. 

In a fixture that pinned second placed Stormers against fourth placed Ulster, the South African visitors were hampered by injuries all night with two late changes disrupting them further. 

Within four minutes, their starting hooker, JJ Kotze was stretched off and Ulster capitalised on their visitor’s misfortune. 

After fifteen minutes, Nathan Doak had darted over for the first score after patient play and built up pressure tired the away defence.  Doak spotting the space and nipping in.  He converted for a 7-0 lead.

Shortly after, winger Ben Moxham, sprinted in from wide after Stewart Moore’s pass sliced Stormers apart, Doak again converting for a 14-0 Ulster advantage.

Stormers put some phases together but lacked an attacking edge.  Ulster, ferocious in possession, profited again when Nick Timoney rampaged over from close range.  This had to be checked by the TMO but the try stood and Ulster led by a staggering 21-0 margin.

They kept their foot firmly on the accelerator in the second half.  They were helped by a yellow card for Ben Jason-Dixon for a high tackle on Mike Lowry.

Tighthead prop, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, who had a barnstorming game, earned the bonus point try after more sumptuous play from Moore and James Hume.  The centres creating space for the Samoan to run in and endear himself to the home crowd with his celebration.  Doak’s fourth conversion made it 28-0.

Yet again, Moore and Hume proved a menace for Stormers as Moore broke from deep, Hume carried and passed brilliantly to the on running Lowry, who had an easy finish for Ulster’s fifth try with John Cooney adding the extras.

Ulster’s only regret of the evening came late on when Andre Hugo-Venter earned Stormers some points, the flanker dotting down from a maul as it finished 35-5.

The hosts will hope they are now firmly over their winter slump as they narrowed the gap on their South African opponents to just two points in the hunt for a home playoff.