The away side knew a bonus point win was the only way of being in contention for the Inteprovincial Championship final next week in Co Cork as they went up against a Connacht side who were hoping to boune back from a defeat to Munster last weekend.
Ulster got off to a fast in the game and immediately put the pressure on the home side. The quick start paid off with prop Aishling O'Connell powering over an attacking move to send the away side into the lead. In windy conditions that would give both kickers difficulties, Ella Durkan nailed her first from a difficult angle.
The home side fired back straight after through Lily Brady after a lineout maul, with Nicole Fowley ensuring the score was level from the tee.
Ulster then had to defend the home side's attack, with one moment celebrated after the ball was held up by Beth Cregan on the away team's tryline.
The pressure was cranked up and the home side got their second try after Orla Fenton darted over. Fowley converted to send the home side up by 14-7.
Ulster then started to pile on some pressure to get back into the contest, fly half Abby Moyles was unlucky not to find Niamh Marley who was inches away from being clear.
The match had a turning point when Deely was shown a yellow for an infringement and Connacht were reduced to 14 players.
Ulster quickly took advantage and reduced the gap after Emma Jordan found space and passed to Ella Durkan who scored. The conversion was short however and the score was tight at 14-12.
The away side didnt let up on Connacht and went into the lead, with captain Beth Cregan scoring a well deserved try after finding herself out on the left wing following a ruck.
The wind again played problems as the conversion was missed and at half time Ulster took a well deserved lead into the break.
HT: 14-17
The home side didnt take long to get going in the second half, with Ava Ryder scoring a try just 6 minutes into the second half. Fowley was unable to add extras from the tee.
Connacht would score two more tries through Ryder and O'Laughlin, but Ulster stayed hopeful with the tries going unconverted.
In the 70th minute Ulster's replacements showed a difference as Bronach Cassidy finished a play under the home side's posts. Ella Durkan stayed cool under the pressure and Ulster reduced the gap to 5 points in the last 10 minutes of the contest.
The home side held out despite some late Ulster pressure to keep up their chances of making the Vodafone interprovincial Championship Final.
FT: Connacht 29-24 Ulster.
Teams
Ulster:
(1-8) Ava Fannin, Beth Cregan (C), Ashling O'Connell, Keelin Brady, Taryn Schutzler, Sophie Barrett, Maebh Clenaghan, India Daley
(15-9) Ella Durkan, Maeve liston, Kelly McCormill, Emma Jordan, Niamh Marley, Abby Moyles, Laura Cairns
Replacements: Bronach Cassidy, Megan Brodie, Brittany Hogan, Stacey Sloan, Brenda Barr, Rachael McIlroy, Toni Macartney.
Connacht:
15\. Meabh Deely <br>
14\. Ava Ryder<br>
13\. Orla Dixon<br>
12\. Shannon Touhey<br>
11\. Clara Barrett<br>
10\. Nicole Fowley (C)<br>
9\. Olivia Haverty
1\. Shannon Heapes<br>
2\. Lily Brady<br>
3\. Dearbhla Canty<br>
4\. Sonia McDermott<br>
5\. Eva McCormack<br>
6\. Orla Fenton<br>
7\. Beibhinn Gleeson<br>
8\. Karly Tierney
Replacements:
16\. Stacy Hanley<br>
17\. Grainne O'Loughlin<br>
18\. Niamh O'Grady<br>
19\. Faith Oviawe<br>
20\. Mollie Starr<br>
21\. Kayla Waldron<br>
22\. Cliodhna O'Sullivan<br>
23\. Laoise McGonagle
Scorers:
Ulster:
TRY: O'Connell, Durkan, Cregan, Cassidy
CON: Durkan x2
Connacht:
TRY: Brady, Fenton, Ryder x2, O'Laughlin
CON: Fowley x2