Tries from Portadown fullback Chris Cousens and Bangor number 8 Curtis Stewart proved crucial for Jason Morgan’s side at Ashbourne RFC.
The visitors played into the breeze in the first half and it was the home side who got on the scoreboard first through an Ultan Murphy penalty after 14 minutes. Ulster struck back immediately. After some great ball carrying up front and patience going through the phases, Dave Clarke played an excellent long pass to Cousens, who hit a superb line to touch down for a fantastic score. He converted his own score to bring the sore to 3-7.
After a period of resolute defence, Ulster broke out and earned a long range penalty opportunity, which Cousens stepped up to send through the uprights. From the restart Ulster then delivered a killer blow, maintaining possession and slowing grinding their way towards the opposition line. The ball came to number 8 Stewart in the midfield and he showed great strength to break the first tackle, before rounding the fullback to score to the left of the posts with the last play of the half. Cousens converted to give Ulster a 3-17 lead at the break.
Ulster started the second half well and this allowed outhalf, Nick Finlay to land a drop for a 3-20 lead. Murphy kicked his second penalty of the afternoon to reduce the deficit to 6-20, with 30 minutes remaining on the clock.
Leinster seemed to be buoyed by this score and a sustained period of pressure led to Bangor hooker Phil Whyte being sent to the sin bin. The hosts looked odds on to score from a sweeping move from their own half, only for Clarke to make an outstanding cover tackle to deny them.
Both sides had late opportunities to score tries but neither could find a way through and the game finished 6-20 to Ulster. That result, along with earlier wins over Connacht (12-20) and Munster (35-0) sealed the junior inter-provincial series for the first time in ten years.