GLASGOW WARRIORS 27 ULSTER 9

Glasgow made it two from two against Irish sides, following their win over Munster last weekend with a decisive and crucial victory against Ulster at Scotstoun last night, and with a game in hand the Scottish district are now within a point of the Ravenhill men.

Aggressive
Aagainst an aggressive Glasgow defence, Ulster had to be content with three penalty goals from outhalf Paddy Jackson, while conceding three converted tries to a Warriors side much more creative in attack.

Glasgow who claimed the early points with a penalty goal by outhalf Finn Russell. But Glasgow’s advantage was neutralised with a similar effort from Jackson following a defence-splitting break from full back Ricky Andrew.

Then when Glasgow were penalised just outside their own 22m line Jackson was again on target. From the restart Ulster worked the ball up the field to earn a second penalty converted into points by Jackson while obtaining a further advantage with the despatch to the sin-bin of Glasgow number eight Ryan Wilson.

Glasgow’s propensity to give away penalties was costing the home side was looking costly but when Jackson was given a further kick at goal the out half saw his shot rebound off the post.

Ulster were forced into defensive mode when Glasgow attacked from a line-out on the visitors’ 22 metre line but a mistake by the home side allowed Ulster to break out and apply their own pressure.

A score looked likely when Mark Bennett broke through midfield and found Peter Horne in support but the defence managed to scramble back to stop Glasgow scoring.

Glasgow were growing in confidence and when the Warriors worked the ball through several phases Russell cleverly put Sean Maitland into space for the wing to score a simple try, converted by Russell for a 10-9 half time lead.

Two minutes into the second half Glasgow extended their lead after flanker Sean Doyle was yellow-carded.

Glasgow immediately made capital of their one-man advantage by driving a penalty created line-out for winger Tommy Seymour who had added his weight to the forward effort to score in the corner, Russell converting from the touchline to bring the scoreline to 20-9.

Ulster had a chance to hit back with a kick to the corner for a five metre lineout but a knock on at the throw-in provided relief for Glasgow in the form of a scrum.

Against the odds Ulster won scrum ball giving Andrew Trimble a tilt at the line. In the ensuing phase play a superb tackle from former Ulster player Seymour stopped the visitors in their tracks.

Driven lineout
But Ulster's pressure was beginning to tell and from a driven lineout Nick Williams appeared to have scored, but after consultation with the TMO referee John Lacey was unable to award the try.

With Tom Court nursing a shoulder injury Glasgow turned the screw further, their pressure producing a try for Mark Bennett.

Russell added the conversion to push Glasgow's lead to 27-9. Court was finally forced to retire and with uncontested scrums Glasgow came close to scoring the bonus point try foiled only by the tackle of the match from Trimble but it could not stop Glasgow from celebrating a key victory.
GLASGOW WARRIORS : P Murchie; S Maitland, M Bennett, P Horne (R Vernon 75), T Seymour (N Matawalu 67); F Russell, C Cusiter; G Reid (R Grant 72), D Hall (P MacArthur 56), J Welsh (G Cross 57), J Gray (L Nakarawa 56), T Swinson, J Strauss, C Fusaro (R Harley 63), R Wilson
ULSTER : R Andrew; T Bowe, D Cave, L Marshall (C Gilroy 72), A Trimble; P Jackson, P Marshall (M Heaney 71); T Court (N Annett 67) ), R Herring, R Lutton (D Fitzpatrick 37), J Muller (L Stevenson 67), I Henderson, C Henry, S Doyle (M McComish 67), N Williams.
Referee: J Lacey (IRFU)