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January 07, 2007

Glasgow Warriors 8 - 19 Ulster

Celtic League match played at Hughenden on Saturday January 6th 2007 | 12 comments

Andy Newman went over for Glasgow's only try
Clinical champions Ulster halted Glasgow's Magners League revival in an incident packed tussle at Hughenden.

The Scots had by far the bulk of possession - but it was the Ravenhill men who took their chances when it mattered.

The Warriors were still in the hunt going into the last quarter, but two tries in less than two minutes killed off their quest for a seventh home success on the trot.

Glasgow had the better of the early territorial exchanges but could not turn pressure into instant points.

A beautifully-weighted Dan Parks chip set up a line-out five metres from the Ulster line, but the visitors scrambled clear.

Ulster's forwards then snatched a vital turnover in the danger zone after a powerful pack drive by the home troops.

There was a setback for Ulster in the sixth minute when influential scrum-half Isaac Boss was forced off with an injury and replaced by Kieran Campbell.

Warriors kept up the momentum as centre Andy Henderson made a midfield surge, but the good work was wasted when he was penalised for holding on to the ball too long in contact.

A charge-down by prop Justin Va'a paved the way for the next Glasgow raid, however the Ulster defence again managed to survive.

Having repelled the early barrage, Ulster grabbed the lead with their first foray into enemy territory.

Paddy Wallace caught the Glasgow fringe markers on the hop with a burst of pace down the middle.

He was hauled down a few paces short of the target, but expertly popped the ball to hooker Rory Best, who was left with an easy finishing job.

Wallace added the formality of a conversion to the delight of the big travelling support.

The score sparked a series of further attacks, but a combination of spilled passes and brave home defence kept Ulster at bay.

Glasgow came back into the picture, setting up camp on the goal-line. But they were unable to find their way through during a sequence of pick-and-drive ploys.

Winger Thom Evans then pressured Mark Bartholemeusz into touching down behind his own line, but again the Scots could not capitalise.

There was drama in the dying seconds of the half when Tommy Bowe thought he had snapped up Ulster's second touchdown - only for Welsh referee James Jones to rule a forward pass from Matt McCullough.

The frantic pace continued after the restart with the Warriors quickly narrowing the gap thanks to a Dan Parks penalty for offside from dead in front.

It was the spur that Glasgow needed to up the intensity level, but they were still getting no change out of the tight Ulster back ranks.

And Neil Best struck the killer blow midway through the half when he got the vital touch following a concerted pack drive from a line-out.

The Ulster fans were celebrating again two minutes later as Bowe dashed in for try number three to ensure the win. Wallace converted to stretch the lead to 16 points.

Substitute Andy Newman grabbed a late consolation score for Glasgow.

From Sporting Life

Referee James Jones (WRU) - ably assisted by Justin Harrison
Attendance 2,799
Team
1
Justin Va'a
2
Fergus Thomson
3
Euan Murray
4
Dan Turner
5
Alastair Kellock
6
Andy Wilson
7
John Barclay
8
John Beattie
9
Graeme Beveridge
10
Dan Parks
11
Thom Evans
12
Andrew Henderson
13
Hefin O'Hare
14
Rory Lamont
15
Colin Gregor
Sub
Eric Milligan
Sub
Kevin Tkachuk
Sub
Andy Newman
Sub
James Eddie
Sub
Steve Swindall
Sub
Sam Pinder
Sub
Scott Barrow
Match Substitutions
Off On
Graeme Beveridge Sam Pinder
Off On
John Beattie James Eddie
Off On
Euan Murray Kevin Tkachuk
Off On
Fergus Thomson Eric Milligan
Off On
Dan Turner Andy Newman
Off On
Dan Parks Scott Barrow
Scorers
Dan Parks Penalty
Andy Newman Try 
Comments
Posted by Alistair on January 7, 2007 11:58 AM | Reply to this comment

So, according to the official attendance figures there were only an extra 183 people there over the Edinburgh game. Who wants to join me in a round of "That's a load of bollocks".

Posted by vicki on January 7, 2007 12:14 PM | Reply to this comment

To be honest, I expected there to be a larger Ulster crowd, especially as it was a Saturday match, rather than a Friday night. Disappointed by yesterday's result, but hopefully this is the reality check needed to get the guys geared up for Saracens game.

Posted by behindtheposts on January 7, 2007 12:27 PM | Reply to this comment

To be honest I think there was a relatively large contingent of Ulster fans - at least 2 busloads that I know of. However looking around the area of the ground where we usually stand, there were a few weel-kent faces missing so maybe it's that situation where, if there's a conflict of interest then support turns to club rather than pro team. Also consider that players who are actually away from home yesterday might not be able to get back in time. I also agree, yet again, that the official attendance figures at Glasgow games are NOT a true reflection of the actual attendance.

Posted by vicki on January 7, 2007 12:32 PM | Reply to this comment

Well, there were about 10 coaches outside Firhill last season, but at least the fixture is over. Not one I enjoy.

Posted by behindtheposts on January 7, 2007 01:45 PM | Reply to this comment

Have to say I thoroughly enjoy this fixture - win or lose - as the Ulster fans always bring a great atmosphere to whichever venue the game is played at! They're vocal, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I suppose some of that comes from supporting a team that aren't as inconsistent as Glasgow. Ulster were particularly well organised in defence - they slide into position really effectively, never commit too many players to the contact area and, unlike Glasgow last night, don't kick away hard won possession in a totally aimless fashion. Oh and Vicki, I did say AT LEAST 2 buses, because they were along at Old Anniesland earlier to watch Hawks versus Boroughmuir. I also saw a bus full of young supporters draw up and 2 others parked up the road. Not bad going for a Saturday night fixture!

Posted by vicki on January 7, 2007 02:09 PM | Reply to this comment

I was at Anniesland as well, so I saw them out in force supporting the Hawks! Have never heard such a noisy crowd there! They created a good atmosphere there too, which was a bit of a novelty. That's why I don't like the fixture - they are the opposition and I hate us being out-shouted! It's maybe a jealousy thing, I wish Glasgow Warriors had such a large and passionate support-base.

Posted by hugh on January 8, 2007 11:30 AM | Reply to this comment

Do you think there is ahole in the fence at Hughenden?

Posted by jimc on January 7, 2007 12:28 PM | Reply to this comment

well we should have wrapped the game up in the first 20 mins, but the ref made sure we didn't coupled with our own errors. Coaches should now know what was apparent from the previous match - Colin Gregor is a fine half back who is lost at full back. JB was unsurprisingly a bit off the pace, and his ball carryng best was missed.

A first - I'm sure I saw the ref at the end finally get the yellow card out and show it to an Ulster player (he had already given at least 3 "final warnings" to their captain. However the ref then consulted the touch judge, who appeared to confirm the offence - what di ref do? Gave another final warning and put the card back in his pocket! The game was already lost, but it typified the ref's performance - out of his depth: he was so bad I thought he was scottish!!

Posted by gnasher on January 7, 2007 03:10 PM | Reply to this comment

Disappointing indeed. But we didn't have the cutting edge to really turn a superb Ulster defence. On the positive side the guys kept going which you suspect might not have happened last year or earlier in the season. And it doesn't help having such an inconsistent, pedantic referee. As for the crowd - there must have been a huge guest list for the wedding!

Posted by Hannah on January 7, 2007 05:39 PM | Reply to this comment

Really enjoyed the game well the crowd anyway. Warriors played well but the Ulster defence was just too strong. Think Boss coming off for Ulster could have been a good thing as he is a excellent player and could have done real damage. Wish Glasgow had more supporters. Lost my voice shouting in a crowd of Ulster fans! But I always lose it cause Glasgow fans are no very vocal!!!!!

Posted by Brian Jack on January 8, 2007 01:34 PM | Reply to this comment

Rugby aside (I agreee with earlier posts), what can we do about the crowd? I to am sick of hearing us outshouted at almost everymatch (bar the derbies). Why is it Glasgow fans (and Scottish fans) in general seem to be pretty apathetic?!!

Posted by hannah on January 9, 2007 02:11 PM | Reply to this comment

we cant do much unless we get more people involved!!! We have taken to getting a group of us together and even taking my dads rugby team to games for vocal support!

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