Ulster went into the match hoping to show some of the progression displayed in last weekend's contest in Armagh against Munster, where the scoreline at 14-41 didn't reflect the competitiveness of the encounter.
Murray Houston's side came up against a Leinster side who were still hurting from their Connacht defeat in the opening round.
On a bright sunny day at Energia Park with a swirling breeze, the home side set out their intent early on, with Leinster prop Christy Haney’s driving to the line from a lineout maul which was converted by Hannah O’Connor in the fourth minute.
Ulster withstood the home side's attack for multiple attacking phases, but were two tries down around the 20 minute mark as lock Ruth Campbell bundled over for the second try.
Leinster added three further tries before the break, through Aimee Clarke, Christy Haney and Molie Boyne, with Hannah O'Connor adding two extra conversions.
Ulster's captain Beth Cregan was also shown a yellow card during the period, with the home side taking full advantage of the extra player.
HT 33-0
The home side started the second half like they ended the first as they stormed forward to score an early second half try through the impressive Katie Whelan. Hannah O'Connor kicked home the extra two points from the conversion.
Ulster rallied from this point, with replacement scrum-half Rachael McIlroy dictating the ball speed with more urgency. Ulster showed signs of some attacking verve as an attacking phase saw Maeve Liston make metres after a nice collection from Abbey Moyles' pop off.
Murray Houston's team kept going and got their rewards after sustained pressure in Leinster's 22. McIlroy passed to Abbey Moyles who delivered an excellent cross field kick to Ulster winger Niamh Marley who finished off the move well, darting around Leinster's defender for the away sides first points of the match.
Ella Durkan was unable to add to the tally from the conversion as her kick was wide.
Ulster aimed to keep narrowing the gap in the scoreline and kept the pressure up as Leinster lost two players to yellow cards. Around the hour mark, Ulster were inches away from a second try as Abbey Moyles attempted a cross field kick out to the left wing but there was too much on it and was just out of reach for replacement winger Megan Edwards.
Attack quickly turned into a retreat as Leinster's Alisha Hughes sprinted clear and popped the ball off to Leah Tarpey who scored on her debut for the home side. Dannah O’Brien added the extra two from the tee.
Leinster again showed their dynamism, with a turnover in attack and Hannah O'Connor kicking an accurate 50:22 to pin Ulster back. Quick thinking from Leinster with a quick pass caught Ulster out and Eimear Corri touched down for another try.
Leinster finished the game off with a try with the clock in the red as Aoife Wafer scored the home side's ninth try of the afternoon.
Ulster will hope to bounce back against Connacht at the Sportsground stadium next weekend.
Player of the Match: Katie Whelan
Scorers:
Leinster –
Try: C Haney 2 tries; E Corri, L Tarpey, R Campbell, A Clarke, M Boyne, K Whelan, A Wafer try each;
Cons: H O’Connor 5 ; D O’Brien.
Ulster –
Try: N Marley
Referee: A Fogarty, IRFU.
Teams
Leinster
(15-9) Natasja Behan, Aimee Clarke, Aoife Dalton, Leah Tarpey, Clare Gorman, Nikki Caughey, Katie Whelan
(1-8) Aoife Moore, Lisa Callan, Christy Haney, Ruth Campbell, Eimear Corri, Aoife Wafer, Molly Boyne, Hannah O’Connor.
Replacements:
Linda Djougang, Caoimhe Molloy, Jess Keating, Emma Murphy, Emma Tilly, Ailsa Hughes, Dannah O’Brien, Elise O Byrne-White
Ulster
(15-9) Ella Durkan, Niamh Marley, Kelly McCormill, Peita McAllister, Maeve Liston, Abby Moyles, Laura Cairns.
(1-8) Gemma McCamley, Beth Cregan, Aishling O'Connell, Keelin Brady, Taryn Schutzler, Sophie Barrett, Maebh Clenaghan, India Daley
Replacements:
Sarah Roberts, Megan Simpson, Ava Fannin, Stacey Sloan, Rachael McIlroy, Megan Edwards, Emma Jordan, and Toni Macartney.