To cap off a dream weekend, Academy centre, Jonny Scott, scored the match-winning try for the 'A' side only hours after scoring for the Senior Men's team on Friday night against Edinburgh Rugby.
Henry Walker and Bryn Ward's tries got Ulster points on the board in the first half, with the second half comeback complete after tries from Academy talents James McKillop, Lukas Kenny, a second from Ward and a late winner from Jonny Scott.
On their first visit to Ellgia Fields, Ulster 'A' provided a stern test for former Ulster Rugby Skills Coach,Craig Newby's Cambridge RFC side on their first outing of pre-season.
As the game unfolded it felt very much like a Champ fixture, albeit one contested by two very well-matched sides, no quarter asked or given, lightning in open play, and seriously competitive in the set and the loose.
Cambridge started well, racing into an early lead through flanker Ardal Yallop. The big back row burst through the Ulster defence and stormed in for the first score of Newby's tenure in the opening seconds, and, whilst Eli Caven was inches off with the conversion, the tone was very much set for the afternoon.
Not to be outdone, Ulster 'A' got back on terms close in via Academy hooker, Henry Walker, around the 10 minute mark, with skipper, James Humphreys' conversion nudging Ulster ahead.
With a quarter of the game gone, though, despite winning a scrum on their 10m line, Cambridge's aggressive defence led to a turn-over which hooker Dylan Irvine galloping away for their second score of the afternoon, with Caven good for the extras.
On the half hour, Cambridge again pressured the visitors on their own line, and that paid off handsomely as Levi Reweti plucked the ball out of the air to crash over before being mobbed by his team-mates. Caven added the two points, and the stage was set for a spectacular fourth try.
Cambridge's backs, potent all afternoon in attack, fashioned a superlative score out wide on the right. Otu Mausia's distribution was a revelation all game and the speed and sleight of the Tonga international's hands as the ball revolved through his back line was stunning, finished spectacularly by Imi Qorowale.
Caven converted again, but there were signs of the second half to come as Ulster's driving maul prevailed for Academy flanker, Bryn Ward, to touch down in added time for 26-12 to the hosts at the break.
HT: Cambridge 26-12 Ulster 'A'
Cambridge hit the ground running in the second period, with Henry Lumley scorching in following a winning scrum on the Ulster 10 metre line. Caven again added the extras.
The visitors upped their game. Winning their line out in the Cambridge 22, Academy flanker, James McKillop, dove over, with Humphreys converting again.
On the hour, Academy wing, Lukas Kenny, who had a fine afternoon, finished off a long pass out wide to further reduce the deficit.
A yellow card for Cambridge prop, Zac Nearchou, preceded Bryn Ward forcing his way over in the opposite corner for his second of the afternoon, again converted by Humphreys.
And, despite some super last ditch defence in the face of a late onslaught, and an heroic try saving tackle for Caven, Academy centre, Jonny Scott, gathered the loose ball to touch down for a try, converted, for the win.
A great weekend for Ulster with two victories against Edinburgh and Cambridge for the senior side and 'A' side respectively, with important experience for a host of young talents ahead of 2025-26.
Team
Ulster 'A'
15. Green, 14. Kenny, 13. Prinsloo, 12. Scott, 11. Graham, 10. Humphreys, 9. Logan, 8. McLoughlin, 7. Ward, 6. McKillop, 5. Hopes, 4. Irvine, 3. McGuire, 2. Walker, 1. Boyd
Replacements: Hanlon, McAllister, McLean, Dougan, Stevens, Soper, Cunningham, De Klerk
Scorers
Cambridge
TRY - Yallop 1, Irvine 20, Reweti 28, Qorowale 31, Lumley 45
CON - Caven 21, 29 , 32, 47
Ulster 'A'
TRY - Walker 10, Ward 47, 70, McKillop 48, Kenny 61, Scott 78
CON - Humphreys 11, 49, 71
Attendance 1,108