After an early setback, Ulster rallied and showed a gritty performance, despite going into the break down by two points.
After the interval, Ulster had managed to lead in the second period after two tries tries from Rory Telfer and John Andrew, before a late Exeter surge which saw three tries in the last fifteen minutes, saw them race clear of the contest.
Ulster made a change to the team, with Harry Sheridan replacing Alan O'Connor in the second row, and Kieran Treadwell skippering the team for the first time.
Exeter Chiefs started off the stronger of the two sides, and got their rewards for putting the away side under pressure in their own 22.
Ulster's lineout was overthrown and Exeter quickly snatched the ball, hooker, Dan Frost, driving towards the line. Exeter were awarded a pen just shy of the line and snatched an early lead after their skipper, Jacques Vermeulen, managed to crash over under the posts after a quick tap and go. Hodge converted the score in front of the posts.
Ulster responded minutes later, with winger Aaron Sexton being found in space by Zac Ward, who had drew in two players and fired out a perfect pass to Sexton, who had an easy finish.
The conversion, from a difficult angle out near the left touchline went wide.
Ulster were put under the cosh for a large portion of the half, but the defensive discipline would have pleased the Ulster coaches, with Ulster constantly forcing Exeter into coughing up penalties and frustrating the home support.
Around the half-hour mark, winger, Ben Moxham, made a welcome return to playing action, after the big winger sustained an ACL injury against Edinburgh last year.
Ulster made a number of important exits when under pressure, and Marcus Rea produced a brilliant turnover just before the break to ease off some of the home side pressure.
At half-time, the contest was a two point game at 7-5 to Exeter.
HT: 7-5
Just three mins into the second half, and Exeter extended their lead through their English international wing, Feyi-Waboso, who scooped up the pass out wide to dot down for a well-worked score. Josh Hodge added the conversion.
The away side piled on the pressure after the restart, and attacked the Exeter tryline after a lineout in the home side's 22.
After a series of tap and go penalties, Ulster remained patient and worked the ball out wide to replacement winger, Rory Telfer, who did well to step inside his defender and finish under pressure. Nathan Doak's kick from wide right went wide of the posts.
Richie Murphy's side then took a well-deserved lead after feeling some good momentum from the Telfer try.
Penalties again gave Aidan Morgan the chance to kick into the corner and replacement prop, John Andrew, finished off an excellent lineout maul try to put Ulster in the lead. The conversion was missed.
The Chiefs would then wrestle back control of the game and re-took the lead after their full-back, Josh Hodge, found replacement winger, Brown-Bampoe, out on the right wing deep in the Ulster 22 to finish. Hodge converted to give the home side an extra buffer.\<br>
South African winger, Werner Kok, came on to make his debut appearance in an Ulster jersey.
The home side's try gave Exeter the confidence to add two more late tries through wing, Olly Woodburn, and replacement lock, Jack Dunne, to flatter the scoreline.
Replacement flanker, Nick Timoney, almost pulled off a spectacular try of his own after kicking the ball downfield and over the defender, however he was halted and the home side were able to kick the ball dead and end the pre-season contest.
Ulster will now get ready for the United Rugby Championship opener next weekend against the reigning champions, Glasgow Warriors, at Kingspan Stadium.
FT: 31-15
Scorers
Ulster:
TRY: Sexton, Telfer, Andrew
Exeter Chiefs:
TRY: Vermeulen, Feyi-Waboso, Brown-Bampoe, Woodburn, Dunne
CON: Hodge X3
Teams
Ulster
(15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Zac Ward\*, Jude Postlethwaite, Ben Carson, Aaron Sexton, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak;
(1-8) Andrew Warwick, James McCormick, Corrie Barrett\*, Harry Sheridan, Kieran Treadwell (C), Matty Rea, Marcus Rea, James McNabney.
Replacements:
John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Henry Walker, Harry Sheridan, Reuben Crothers, Nick Timoney Dave Shanahan, James Humphreys, Stewart Moore, Werner Kok, Ben Moxham, Rory Telfer, Callum Reid
\Trialist with Ulster Rugby’s Senior Men’s squad.*
Exeter Chiefs
(15-9) J Hodge, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Ben Hammersley, Joe Hawkins, Olly Woodburn, Harvey Skinner, Niall Armstrong;
(1-8)Will Goodrick-Clarke, Dan Frost, Marcus Street, Rusi Tuima, Richard Capstick, Ethan Roots, Jacques Vermeulen (c), Ross Vintcent;
Replacements: Jack Yeandle, Kwenzo Blose, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Christ Tshiunza, Martin Moloney, Tom Cairns, Will Haydon-Wood, Will Rigg.
