On-loan Scrum-half Cormac Foley got them off to a dream start in Bridgend, only for Ulster to hit back with two quick tries from wing Zac Ward and hooker Tom Stewart.
The 3,761-strong crowd then had a lengthy wait before flanker James Ratti and wing Daniel Kasende scored in the dying minutes to wrap up the match for the hosts.
Consistency will be key for Ospreys in the final block, as Jones points out that his side will need to be at their best in the remaining fixtures and perhaps at times “grind a few results out.”
This was one of those games where both side’s lacked their usual fluidity and accuracy, with the game carrying somewhat of a tinge of rust about it.
Ospreys victory leaves them still very much in the mix in ninth in the table, level on points with Bulls, who occupy the final play-off place with six rounds to play, whilst Ulster drop to sixth, just seven points above the Welsh region, as every point becomes crucial in the URC.
“Anybody at any time can get in that top-eight right down to about 14th, so we are going to need to string some games together, but that’s five were undefeated in the league, so that’s a bit of momentum,” said Jones after the win.
“There are six rounds left, and we’ve got to go on the road a bit in the next few weeks, and we have also got some derbies in there as well, so there’s a lot of rugby to be played.
“I always felt that cohesion was going to get one of the teams on top [in the fixture] because of the lack of game time over the last couple of weeks and the international players dropping in.
“Our conversion rate in the red zone was well below what it normally is, and we talked about taking three points to help the scoreboard and take the pressure off.
“We were hearing through the mic that they were on a yellow card warning at scrum time for their discipline. They had given six penalties away. We felt that on that pitch, if we could keep them at that end, we could try and get a numerical advantage.
“What I liked was that as a group we adjusted for that tap-penalty. We have got it up our sleeve to convert in that way at that area of the pitch – I’m really pleased with the composure.
“One of the things we have targeted is the way we are finishing games, and I thought today was the first step in that. I thought the group that game on meshed well with the group out there and continued the good work that was already happening.
“It was almost a seamless transition, and we had good dominance at the scrum.
“I really believe in the group, but I also know that you’ve got to you’ve got to stack some good training sessions.
“You need some good moments, and good performances because the whole thing – one win, one loss, one bonus point win – can shift you up and down the table three or four places.
“Ultimately, if you want to finish in the top eight, you have to grind those performances out.”
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
