With five try-scorers on the night and plenty of game time for a larger matchday squad, there is plenty for Head Coach, Richie Murphy, to be pleased about as Ulster build towards the season opener against Dragons in two weeks time.
Tries from Cormac Izuchukwu, Jude Postlethwaite and Zac Ward gave the home side a 19-0 lead at the break, with James McCormick and Academy centre, Jonny Scott, adding scores in the second period.
Ulster started off strong, showing attacking intent and fast line speed from the off against a youthful and energetic Edinburgh starting XV.
The home side got off the mark just six minutes in, after an attack from a scrum in the Edinburgh 22. After a strong carry from David McCann, his back row colleague, Cormac Izuchukwu, used his power to bash through the Edinburgh defence for the opener, with Jack Murphy converting.
Not long after, Ulster kept up the intensity and used their power at the set piece again.
Another scrum in the away side's 22 and Jude Postlethwaite was found after his run from the base. The 23 year-old centre finishing well after the slick move, with the conversion missed.
Postlethwaite was then involved again in a flowing backline move, with crisp passing releasing Zac Ward, who dummied two forwards and ran in for a confident finish. Jack Murphy adding the conversion.
At half-time Ulster led comfortably at the break.
HT: Ulster 19-0 Edinburgh
Murphy rang the changes at the break, with the plan to get minutes across the squad.
It didn't take long for one of the new replacements to make his mark, as replacement hooker, James McCormick, finished after a driving lineout maul in the Edinburgh 22. Ulster again were making the most of their strong set piece power on the night.
The away side rallied well despite the difference in the scoreline, and replied with their opening score through replacement, Liam McConnell.
The away side then grabbed another converted try, after winger, Lewis Wells, was found on the right wing to score in the corner.
Then came a brilliant couple of phases of play for Academy centre replacement, Jonny Scott.
Scott made a vital jackal turnover just past the halfway line as Edinburgh looked to seize their momentum. The turnover gave Ulster possession, that was then converted into a lineout in the away side's 22.
From the lineout, the ball was recycled and Scott was found to dive under the posts for a super score on his first appearance in the Ulster Senior side.
Edinburgh would grab another try before FT, through Mikey Jones after a quick tap and go penalty.
The victory was sealed with the final whistle and Ulster could be pleased with their workout, with players getting important game time ahead of the opener in two weeks time.
FT: Ulster 31-19 Edinburgh
Bank Of Ireland Player of the Match - Zac Ward
As voted for by supporters, Zac was named the Player of the Match after a superb display. His energy, powerful carrying and kicking ability were all standout on the night.
His clever dummy for his first half try showed all the hallmarks of a player feeling confident in his ability.
Scorers
Ulster:
TRY: Izuchukwu, Postlethwaite, Ward, McCormick, Scott
CON: Murphy x2, Flannery
Edinburgh:
TRY: McConnell, Wells Jones
CON: Thompson x2
Teams
Ulster Rugby
1\. Callum Reid, 2. John Andrew, 3. Tom O’Toole, 4. Iain Henderson (Capt), 5. Matthew Dalton, 6. Cormac Izuchukwu, 7. Sean Reffell, 8. David McCann, 9. Nathan Doak, 10. Jack Murphy, 11. Zac Ward, 12. Jude Postlethwaite, 13. James Hume, 14. Werner Kok, 15. Jake Flannery
Replacements:
James McCormick, Sam Crean, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Nick Timoney, Conor McKee, Jonny Scott, Ben Carson, Marcus Rea, Ethan Graham, Lukas Kenny, Wilhelm De Klerk.
Edinburgh
1\. James Whitcombe 2. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty 3. Rhys Litterick 4. Christian Lindsay 5. Glen Young 6. Ollie Duncan 7. Freddy Douglas 8. Tom Currie, 9. Hector Patterson, 10. Ross Thompson (Capt), 11. Ross McCann, 12. Findlay Thomson, 13. Matt Davidson, 14. Lewis Wells, 15. Jack Brown
Mikey Jones, Harri Morris, Angus Williams, Euan McVie, Sam Skinner, Liam McConnell, Hamish Watson<br>
Magnus Bradbury, Conor McAlpine, Cammy Scott, Ross McKnight, Charlie McCaig, Malelili Satala.