Ulster made it back to back bonus-point victories in the URC against Ospreys at Kingspan Stadium.
The weather conditions improved through the evening to make it a super night for rugby.
Like last weekend against Connacht, Ulster started off strong and asserted themselves on the contest.
An early lineout gave James McCormick the chance to drive the maul over the Ospreys whitewash for his maiden senior try. The young hooker has impressed in his first few caps for his province and the try was the perfect start for the Ulstermen.
Ulster's second came just five minutes later, after a break from Cormac Izuchukwu was recycled and after a good combination from David McCann and Mike Lowry - Jacob Stockdale was sent clear on the left wing to dive over for the second try.
Ulster were then awarded a penalty try, after another lineout maul powered towards the whitewash. The referee showed a yellow card to the Ospreys scrum half, Kieran Hardy, for pulling down the maul illegally.
That brought the scoreline to 17-0.
With a bonus=point fourth firmly in their sights, Ulster almost pulled off one of the team tries of the season after a stunning break from prop, Eric O'Sullivan, found Jacob Stockdale, who finished well.
However the Ulster fans delight was halted, even after John Cooney had kicked a conversion. The TMO found that O'Sullivan's one handed pass was forward and the scoreline reset.
The home side kept plugging away and the bonus-point try came through Marcus Rea on his first start this season. The Ballymena back-row dotting the ball down after a pick and go from close range. Cooney added the extras from the tee.
The visitors scored a try before the stroke of half time, with Sam Parry going over from a maul to score. Edwards converted to give the welshmen some positivity into the break.
HT 24-7
Ten minutes into the second half, Ulster got their fifth and James McCormick grabbed a double, after quick thinking from a 5m penalty in the Ospreys 22. The hooker powered over and caught the welshmen out.
Ulster were reduced to 14 men after Harry Sheridan's yellow card for a high tackle.
During this period of the game, the away side put on pressure in Ulster's 22. After an attacking phase, the ball was worked wide to winger, Keelan Giles, who finished on the left wing.
Ulster's sixth was a Jacob Stockdale special, with a lovely attacking move by the home side finished off by the in-form winger, doing very well to finish and stay in-field for the try.
Replacement scrum-half, Nathan Doak, then nailed a wonderful conversion from the left touchline adding the extras.
Doak impressed after coming on and almost forced a seventh try after a smart kick downfield that led to a kick and chase.
Ulster also had Mike Lowry to thank for a certain try saver, with the full-back making a huge tackle on Lewis Lloyd as the Ospreys threatened.
At full-time, Ulster celebrated another five points that lifted them further up the URC table, ensuring they started the weekend in fourth spot.
Richie Murphy's men will look to finish off their block before the international break with another win against Cardiff Rugby next Saturday in Round 6.
FT: Ulster 36-12 Ospreys
Scorers
Ulster:
TRY: McCormick x2, Stockdale x2, Penalty try, Marcus Rea
CON: Cooney, Doak
Ospreys:
TRY: Parry, Giles
CON: Edwards
Teams
Ulster
(1-8) O’Sullivan, McCormick, O’Toole; O’Connor (C), Sheridan; Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, McCann;
(15-9) Lowry; Kok, Carson, McCloskey, Stockdale; Morgan, Cooney;
Replacements: McElroy, Reid, Wilson, Treadwell, Matty Rea, Doak, Humphreys, Postlethwaite.
Ospreys:
(1-8) G Thomas, Parry, Warren; Greatbanks, Jones; Lloyd, Tipuric, Morris (C);
(15-9) Walsh; Kasende, Boshoff, Williams, Giles; Edwards, Hardy;
Replacements: Lewis, Phillips, Lowerth-Scott, R Thomas, Gemine, Morgan-Williams, Florence, Nagy.
