Edinburgh raid Belfast after holding off Ulster fightback

Edinburgh held off a late fightback from Ulster to secure an opening-day 34-29 win in the United Rugby Championship at Affidea Stadium.

The visitors led 20-5 at half-time and 34-5 after 49 minutes and although Ulster came roaring back with three second-half tries and a late penalty from Jack Murphy to lift them to within five points, it was not enough.

Freddy Douglas’ converted opening touchdown and James Grayson’s penalty gave Edinburgh a 10-0 lead before Mikey Lowry went over for Ulster’s first score.

But another Grayson penalty and a second converted Edinburgh try from Malelili Satala put the Scottish side 20-5 ahead at the break.

Hector Patterson and Piers O’Conor both went over early in the second period and two more conversions from Grayson extended Edinburgh’s lead to 34-5.

Ulster responded and three tries in the space of eight minutes from Zac Ward, David McCann and Keynan Knox, all converted by Murphy, reduced the deficit to 34-26 and had the home fans off their feet, but despite Murphy’s late penalty, Edinburgh held on.