Ian Humphreys inspired Ulster to victory against Bath at the Recreation Ground which has set up a crunch tie against Pool 4 leaders Biarritz Olympique in January.

The arctic conditions caused Ulster all sorts of travel chaos in the build up but they will make the return journey over the Irish Sea in high spirits after completing the double over the former European Champions.

It was the hosts who started the brighter though with Matt Carraro crashing over after just 35 seconds. Ulster made a hash of the kick off and Bath went straight on the offensive. The ball was sent wide and slick passing from Butch James and then Lee Mears created room for the Australian to touch down.

Olly Barkley missed the conversion but slotted a penalty moments later to increase the home side’s advantage.

Bath played all the rugby during the opening exchanges but Ulster struck right back on their first trip into opposition territory. It was simple quick ball and heads up rugby from the visitors that created the room for Adam D’Arcy to touch down. Humphreys added the additional two points before exchanging penalties with his opposite number Barkley.

The feisty affair looked like boiling over on numerous occasions in the first half and when Butch James got involved with Dan Tuohy the referee lost patience and showed the South Africa yellow.

The Bath defence stepped up while they were down to 14-men and it looked like they would escape without conceding during the sin-bin period until Nevin Spence went over.

Ulster were patient and continued to build the phases and Spence’s try was well deserved. Humphreys, faultless throughout the afternoon added to conversion from out wide.

He then extended the visitors lead with another penalty as the match entered the final quarter.

Bath attacked with pace and after repeated infringement at the breakdown from Ulster try-scorer Spence was sent to the sin-bin. Barkley from in front of the posts kicked the three points.

With their tails up from the re-start Bath spun the ball wide, replacement Nick Abendanon powered his way over half-way. As soon as the ball reached Matt Banahan on the far wing the England wing looked like scoring and he didn’t disappoint, diving over in the corner.

Barkely missed the conversion which would have given his side the lead and in reply Humphreys kicked a huge penalty to put Ulster further ahead.