September 12, 2008

Glasgow Warriors 18 - 21 The Ospreys

Celtic League match played at Firhill on Friday September 12th 2008 | 10 comments

Thom was in try-scoring form
Glasgow were painfully denied a first home victory of the season as the Ospreys snatched a late winner at Firhill.

The Warriors had looked on course to foil the Welsh form horses in the Magners League clash when Thom Evans bagged his second try of the night.

But Alun-Wyn Jones ploughed over at the other end to leave Sean Lineen's men wallowing in frustration.

Ospreys had made the trek north in the wake of a highly successful week which began when they snatched a crucial away win against stubborn Connacht in Galway, and continued with a clinical demolition job on Cardiff on home turf.

They carried on the momentum in the opening half-hour against a hesitant-looking Warriors outfit.

Both teams took a while to settle and most of the early play was confined to the area between the 22 lines.

The quest of the hosts was hindered by an uncharacteristic lapse in kicking form by stand-off Dan Parks.

Parks, who needed just three points to become the highest scorer in Magners League history, was off the mark with four attempts at goal.

The Welshmen looked the more composed side and it was no surprise when they inched in front with a well-struck penalty by Dan Biggar, deputising in the starting formation for James Hook.

Even better was to come for the visitors when substitute utility back Kristian Philips ploughed over for a try, although Biggar sent the conversion wide.

The spotlight was back on Parks just after the half-hour mark, and this time he was bang on target to get the home team up and running.

His strike steadied his own jitters - and those of his team-mates - and the Warriors snatched the initiative on the brink of the break.

Scrum-half Mark McMillan sent a beautifully weighed chip into the danger zone, leaving the Ospreys defence to back-pedal.

Thom Evans anticipated the bounce to perfection and scooped it up to dive over beside the posts, giving Parks a formality of a conversion to put Glasgow in front.

Parks had another chance seconds after the restart with a penalty from well inside his own half, but it dipped short of the crossbar.

Ospreys - and Biggar in particular - made the most of their reprieve.

He reclaimed the lead with a marvellous long-range drop-goal which had even the most faithful of the home fans applauding.

Then he kicked his second penalty after a wayward clearance by Parks.

Parks made amends by landing his second penalty as the Warriors stepped up the pace in the closing stages.

There was added pressure on the Ospreys when Jamie Nutbrown was yellow-carded for a professional foul.

Glasgow capitalised immediately as Evans completed his double, pouncing on a Parks lob.

The conversion by Parks drifted agonisingly wide - leaving the stage clear for Jones to snatch the clincher which Hook converted.

Parks breaks Magners League scoring - The Scotsman

Parks breaks record but rues misses - The Herald

Referee Carlo Damasco (Italy)
Attendance
Man of the Match Thom Evans
Team
1
Justin Va'a
2
Dougie Hall
3
Moray Low
4
Tim Barker
5
Alastair Kellock
6
Kelly Brown
7
John Barclay
8
John Beattie
9
Mark McMillan
10
Dan Parks
11
Thom Evans
12
Graeme Morrison
13
Andrew Henderson
14
Lome Fa'atau
15
Bernardo Stortoni
Sub
Eric Milligan
Sub
Kevin Tkachuk
Sub
Opeta Palepoi
Sub
Steve Swindall
Sub
Colin Gregor
Sub
Hefin O'Hare
Sub
Ruaridh Jackson
Match Substitutions
Off On
Tim Barker Opeta Palepoi
Off On
Mark McMillan Colin Gregor
Off On
Justin Va'a Kevin Tkachuk
Off On
Lome Fa'atau Hefin O'Hare
Off On
John Beattie Steve Swindall
Off On
Bernardo Stortoni Ruaridh Jackson
Scorers
Dan Parks Penalty
Thom Evans Try 
Dan Parks Conversion
Dan Parks Penalty
Thom Evans Try 
Gallery
    Audio
    Press play to listen to Warriors Head Coach Sean Lineen talking to John Beattie and Gordon Bulloch or open the player in a new window (requires Adobe Flash.)
    Comments
    Posted by mediumsizedal on September 13, 2008 12:23 AM | Reply to this comment

    No complaints-we were lucky to get the bonus point. If we had won it would have been a travesty of justice. Ospreys were stronger, faster and more streetwise, especially in the forwards. For most of the game Glasgow were living on scraps. Haven't seen the back row looking so anonymous for a long time, the lineout was largely a shambles & we were bullied out of too many 50/50 balls. Even when we were ahead with 10mins to go I never felt comfortable we would win the game. Don't get me wrong, I thought Glasgow played reasonably well-we were just beaten by a much stronger & better team on the day. There were positives-the scrum stood up quite well, some good work in the loose, especially from Lowe & the backs looked good. Stortoni had his usual excellent performance (he would have been my man of the match). Difficult to know how to feel about this game-we could have won, but could have lost by a much larger margin had Ospreys taken all their chances. Sure Parks missed a few, but it must have been very difficult for him psychologically tonight & none of the misses were easy. Good to see Thom Evans using his pace-his second try was a beauty-he still had a lot to do when he took tha ball. Overall not too despondant-hopefully we'll beat Connacht friday!! Enjoyed the game-and well done Dan Parks-a record to be proud off.

    Posted by mearns76 on September 13, 2008 06:43 AM | Reply to this comment

    Agree with much of what you say, except did not see Ospreys as a 'much stronger' side. Add my congratulations to Dan Parks. Whatever the reason he had an unusual off night with his kicks at goal. At least three of his attempts might normally have been expected to go over in which case we could have been celebrating a win and congratulating a hard working team performance. Those who carp at Dan should reflect on the many times over the years when kicks have made the difference between winning and losing

    Posted by fin on September 13, 2008 09:40 AM | Reply to this comment

    Dan Parks may have got his record but missed kicks, some fairly easy, cost us the game, yet again! Ospreys played to their strengths, mainly their forwards and Glasgow scored because at times they were more inventive-a positive side to the game. In the early stages Glasgow seemed more concerned in Parks' record than making correct decisions. Parks was obviously not kicking well but was still allowed to kick. Bad decisions by the captain? Then to have a penalty attempt from inside our own half! Poor decision!

    Posted by bossco85 on September 13, 2008 11:09 AM | Reply to this comment

    To blame Dan for this defeat is stupid. Yes he missed some kicks but think about the amount of times he has won games by himself. You done get to the top of points scorers by costing people games as the man above me said! The forwards where bullied and did not look nearly fast enough round the field. Al Kellock should not be playing, he is not big enough, a good enough leader or strong enough to make a difference. Wasnt a bad performance but we just aint good enough to compete with teams in that mood.

    Posted by Finbar on September 13, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply to this comment

    Got to agree - no way should the blame be laid at Dan's door for this. Much bigger problems elsewhere last night.

    Posted by weebaw on September 13, 2008 11:19 AM | Reply to this comment

    We should still have won the game playing badly. 5 errors on the trot after evans' superb try killed us off.

    Missed conversion, missed touch,concession of 2 unnecessary penalties and crazy yellow card. Pure amateurism.

    Posted by teamfruit on September 13, 2008 12:30 PM | Reply to this comment

    The ref was bad but we were even worse, was really looking forward to tonight but to often we made stupid mistakes, i dont like the Henderson Morrison combo at centre we really need another outside centre. Why oh why did we persist with trying to bash our way down the 10, 12 channel when we were getting wrapped up everytime i don't remember seeing the ball go wide to the wingers in the match. I also really think we could do with a change in captian Al's a good player but i dont know if he is the one to lead us forward. Barcaly could possibly? I've heard he's vocal in the changing room and smart with what he says. Anyway better luck next week and hopefully we'll switch on and play smarter rugby? Any idea why max didnt play last night?

    Posted by Alistair Hutton on September 13, 2008 05:41 PM | Reply to this comment

    I have no idea why Henderson was at 13 and Morrison was at 12. Completely the wrong way round.

    Posted by teamfruit on September 13, 2008 06:42 PM | Reply to this comment

    Thats because Lineen see's Morrision as a first choice 12 now and so won't switch him with Hendo hence max at O/C

    Posted by sunday5 on September 13, 2008 07:48 PM | Reply to this comment

    I'm quite surprised no body has mentioned Fa'atau. He was just rubbish. Up to his old self, half arsed chases and lame tackles. He truely is the anti-Evans.

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