Edinburgh 24 (14)
Ulster 10 (0)
Try: Bartholomeusz
Con: O'Connor
Pen: O'Connor
Edinburgh started firing again after their summer of turmoil as they snuffed out the threat of former Magners League champions Ulster at Murrayfield.
John Houston went over and was followed by a disputed Andy Turnbull penalty try, both converted by Phil Godman.
Niall O'Connor kicked Ulster's first points, but a Turnbull touchdown, with Ally Warnock adding the first of his five points, replied for Edinburgh.
A Mark Bartholomeusz try, converted by O'Connor, gave Ulster some hope.
But Edinburgh were in control for the bulk of the contest and, in the end, were frustrated not to earn a precious bonus point.
To add to Ulster's woes, lock Ryan Caldwell was red-carded for an off-the-ball stamp in the closing stages.
Edinburgh had the better of the jittery opening exchanges and it was no surprise when they opened their account.
MY SPORT: DEBATE
A passage of patient play paved the way for centre Houston to power through, with Godman confidently adding the extras.
The hosts maintained the momentum but were held up by a combination of weak finishing and stout defence from the Ulstermen.
Edinburgh had luck on their side on the half-hour mark, when they were the beneficiaries of a controversial penalty try.
Turnbull was blocked a couple of metres short of the line by Scotland's Simon Danielli.
And, when the other visiting winger, Mark McCrea, also challenged, referee James Jones ruled the ball had been deliberately killed to prevent a score.
Ulster were justifiably furious as Godman slotted the formality of the conversion.
The visitors came more into the picture in the build-up to the break but could not turn pressure into points.
They broke their duck three minutes after the restart, when O'Connor kicked a penalty.
Edinburgh seized back the initiative with a kick-and-chase touchdown by Turnbull, endorsed by the video referee.
And substitute Warnock slotted the conversion to open up an 18-point gap.
Ulster refused to buckle, however, and a Bartholomeusz try, converted by O'Connor, kept their hopes alive until Caldwell was dismissed.
There was still time for Warnock to clip over a penalty for Edinburgh to make sure.
Edinburgh: De Luca, A. Turnbull, Cairns, Houston, Maxwell, Godman, Meyer, Allori, Kelly, G. Cross, Hamilton, Gissing, Mustchin, Rennie, S. Cross.
Replacements: Dey for Houston (72), Warnock for Godman (52), Lawrie for Kelly (60), Grant for G. Cross (55), Reid for Mustchin (14), Pringle for S. Cross (77). Not Used: Laidlaw.
Ulster: Cunningham, McCrea, Bowe, Mallon, Danielli, O'Connor, Campbell, J. Fitzpatrick, Brady, Court, Harrison, Caldwell, McCullough, Pollock, Wilson.
Replacements: Bartholomeusz for Cunningham (31), Larkin for O'Connor (75), Marshall for J. Fitzpatrick (54), Miles for Brady (70), D. Fitzpatrick for Court (60), Dawson for McCullough (52). Not Used: Barker.
Att: 3,468
Ref: James Jones (WRFU).
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