Tries from Matty Dalton (2), Bryn Ward and Ethan Graham gave Ulster the lead going into the break, with Jake Flannery accurate from the tee with four conversions.
Connacht came back in the second half to narrow the deficit, but Ulster were able to dig in and grind out the six point difference in the scoreline.
Ulster started off with strong intent, attacking from a lineout into the Connacht half. The backline ran the ball through the hands and Ethan Graham offloaded to Matty Dalton on the right flank. The forward fended off the Connacht defender and showed a great burst of pace to sprint down the wing and finish off for an early try. Jake Flannery converted from the right touchline.
The Westerners hit back a few minutes later, with second rower, Oisin McNicholas, picking and going over from close range to the Ulster tryline. Sean Naughton converted the try to level things up.
Ulster's next try was made by a piece of individual quality by Instonians RFC back, Bradley McNamara, who collected a kick in the backfield and glided through the Connacht defence, showing quick feet into their half.
The full-back showed composure to send Ethan Graham through on the supporting run down the left channel and the Academy winger finished off the move.
Flannery converted well once more.
Connacht winger, Finn Treacy, got on the scoresheet next, after being found by his full-back on the left wing. Naughton's conversion went wide of the posts, giving Ulster a slender margin.
Ulster's next try came after Jake Flannery collected his own high kick into the Connacht backline and a penalty was won for an infringement around a ruck.
Ulster kicked to the corner and from there, the lineout maul drove forward and number eight, Bryn Ward, peeled off to power over for Ulster's third score. Flannery added the extras.
Ulster kept using their go forward power and their next try came after another good lineout set piece.
After a good line break by Ethan Graham gained metres into the Connacht 22, Dave Shanahan fed Matty Dalton, who collected the ball and was too strong to stop under the posts for his second try of the match. Flannery made it four from four with his conversion.
Connacht scored their third try of the match when scrum half Matthew Devine chased down a kick into the Ulster backfield and was able to kick the ball away from Dave Shanahan to dot down for an unconverted try.
Ulster went into the break with the lead at 28-17.
HT: 28-17
After the break, Ulster rang the changes with a new look front row coming on and a re-shuffle of the backline.
The weather also made a change, with the wind and rain swirling in the freezing temperatures.
The second half was far from a classic, with much of the game being stopped for scrums following knock ons.
Connacht showed good intent to get back into the match, and made the Ulster defence work hard early on.
Ulster were also forced to defend with 14 men, after a yellow card was shown to James Humphreys for a high tackle.
Shortly after the dismissal, Connacht struck after moving the ball through the backs and wing, Shane Jennings, scored in the right corner for an unconverted try.
In what felt like a crucial moment with the clock ticking, Ulster's defence celebrated after Bryn Ward managed to force a turnover with the away side attacking in the Ulster 22.
Zac Ward then threatened with a great break down the right flank before he was stopped by a recovering tackle.
Conor McKee's excellent kick into the back corner put Connacht under pressure in the dying minutes, followed up by a superb tackle by Matthew Booth which forced a knock on.
Ulster were able to hold on to the lead and showed plenty of grit and fight during what was a tough match in challenging conditions.
FT: Ulster 'A' 28-22 Connacht Eagles
Scorers
Ulster 'A':
TRY: Dalton x2, Bryn Ward, Graham
CON: Flannery x4
Connacht Eagles:
TRY: McNicholas, Treacy, Devine, Jennings
CON: Naughton
Teams
Ulster 'A':
1\. Callum Reid, 2. John Andrew (C), 3. Rory McGuire, 4. Charlie Irvine, 5. Joe Hopes, 6. Matthew Dalton, 7. Marcus Rea, 8. Bryn Ward, 9. David Shanahan, 10. Jake Flannery, 11. Ethan Graham, 12. Jonny Scott, 13. Ben Carson, 14. Zac Ward 15. Bradley McNamara
Replacements: 16. James McCormick, 17. Jacob Boyd, 18. Bryan O’Connor, 19. Thomas Dougan, 20. Henry Walker 21. Conor McKee, 22. James Humphreys, 23. Matthew Booth
Connacht Eagles:
1\. Billy Bohan, 2. Eoin de Buitlear (C), 3. Fiachna Barrett, 4. Oisin McNicholas, 5. Liam McNamee, 6. Diarmaid O'Connell<br>
7. Oisin McCormack, 8. Eanna McCarthy, 9. Matthew Devine, 10. Sean Naughton, 11. Finn Treacy, 12. John Devine, 13. David Hawkshaw, 14. Shane Jennings, 15. Harry West
Replacements:
16\. Matthew Victory, 17. Rory Lyons, 18. Adam Cooper, 19. Leo Anic, 20. Charlie Keane, 21. Colm Reilly, 22. Conor O'Shaughnessy, 23. Sean Walsh, 24. Daniel Ryan, 25. Cian Brady
