Despite terrible conditions at Rodney Parade, Ulster managed to pick up a 12-0 win against the Dragons in the United Rugby Championship, the biggest factor of the game proved to be the weather as Ulster composed themselves for the second half.

Marcus Rea crossed for the only score of the opening half, after 39 minutes the Ulstermen pinned back due to the elements keeping them locked into their own half of the field.

The second half they looked stronger now having that stiff wind in their sails, John Andrew managed to grab their second try of the game, as all players struggled with sloppy turnovers and knock ons all afternoon.

The opening period was a dismal spectacle to watch, the stiff breeze leaving Ulster isolated in their own half, with Dragons putting the pressure on them from the off, as they struggled to clear from the boot.

On the early occasion they got up the other end of the field, Nathan Doak managed to cross over after a but the grounding was not there for the Scrum Half. They had another effort after Josh Lewis struggled to clear a grubber kick in behind, but the ball managed to be touched down inside by the Dragons man.

Pinned in by the inability to kick clear, Dragons failed to mount any challenge at a score, their best coming from a missed drop goal by Gonzalo Bertanou, they never looked like getting over as they forced countless turnovers near the line.

Chances were few for the Ulstermen but James Hume sparked a moment of brilliance, he broke clear of the tackle and raced for the try line, he offloaded to Doak but he was again short of the line, they went wide on the maul and Marcus Rea battled his way over for a 5-0 lead, the score ending the half.

With the wind at their backs Ulster could now control the tempo in the second half, they began to control territory and Ben Moxham looked to be over for another try, but he was out of touch in the 45th minute.

Ulster kept kicking to touch every time they had a penalty advantage, after another strong lineout their maul drove for the line, and this time it was Hooker John Andrew to cross for the try, Doak kicked a difficult conversion for a 12-0 lead by the 48th minute.

Dragons had an opportunity to reduce the deficit after 53 minutes, but fly half Sam Davies saw his short kick fly to the left and wide, the breeze keeping them scoreless.

Conditions deteriorated for the remainder of the half, both teams looking to have hunkered down and reduced the game to almost walking pace. 

The Dragons spent the final five minutes of the game down to 14, a yellow card given to Mesake Doge, the replacement prop sent to the bin for a high tackle on an Ulster player.

The visitors had a late effort to push their lead out further, replacement kicker Ian Madigan eyeing up a long range kick at the posts, the kick looked accurate but just dropped short in the end.