Aled Brew opened the scoring before second-half tries from Richard Fussell and Ashley Smith sealed a morale-boosting win as the Dragons climb above Glasgow Warriors on points difference.
Prior to kick-off, there was a poignant minute’s silence at Rodney Parade for Private Richard Hunt.
Avid Dragons fan Hunt, 21, became the 200th soldier to lose his life when he was killed in Afghanistan last month.
And the hosts paid their own tribute by producing an attacking performance littered with flair in Newport.
Brew cruised over for the opener on 13 minutes following a fine flowing backs move involving Fussell, James Arlidge and Tom Riley.
Ulster’s Ian Humphreys and Arlidge exchanged penalties as the Dragons held an 8-3 interval lead.
But the Dragons cut loose after the break when Fussell finished in the left corner and centre Smith displayed superb football skills to pounce for a deserved third.
