Ulster's Andy Maxwell is tackled by Erik Lund in the challenge game

Flanker Neil McMillan scored an early try for Ulster but Jon Feeley hit back quickly with a Titans touchdown.

Tries from Andrew Maxwell and Paddy Wallace helped Mark McCall's side to a 19-7 lead at half-time.

Barry Jacobsz crashed over just after the break before Maxwell grabbed his second try two minutes from the end.

No sooner had McMillan darted over after a line-out move in the third minute, than David Humphreys gifted Titans an equalising try when his pass to Maxwell was intercepted by right-wing Feely.

Ulster stormed ahead again in the 12th minute with some fluent handling by their backs to enable Maxwell to go over for the try.

Ulster at least attempted to run the ball at every opportunity despite the sodden conditions while the Titans resorted to some boring driving by the forwards, who to their credit, gave Ulster a hard time in the tight.

It took Ulster until first-half injury time to finally stretch away with Wallace skipping over and Humphreys landing his second conversion.

Another Ulster mistake saw Jacobz crash over in the 49th minute after he charged down Paul Steinmetz's clearance with Mike Whitehead again adding the extra points to throw the game open again.

But despite being under the cosh for the rest of the half, Maxwell completed his brace after a break by Mark Bartholomeusz two minutes from the end.

Ulster: B Cunningham, M Bartholomeusz, P Wallace, P Steinmetz, A Maxwell, D Humphreys, K Campbell; J Fitzpatrick, P Shields, T Court, J Harrison, T Barker, K Dawson, N McMillan, S Ferris.

Replacements: S Philpott, D Fitzpatrick, R Caldwell, C Henry, P Marshall, K Maggs, S Young.

Rotherham Earth Titans: B Burke; J Feeley, B Tuohy, B Hennessey, S Smith, M Whitehead, J Bedford; J Carey, N Hanna, A Hopcroft, J Bornman, E Lund, H Fourie, N Cochrane, B Jacobsz.

Replacements: J Blackwood, G Steenson, J Buchanan, N Conroy, H Head, S Croall, M McComish

Referee: P Fitzgibbon (IRFU)