Glasgow 8 Ulster 19:ULSTER MADE it two from two in the Heineken Cup after following up their sumptuous win over Castres with a much harder fought result over Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun last night.
Outstanding for Ulster was scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar whose awareness of space helped his side considerably; Paddy Jackson, who landed four penalty kicks and a conversion and, it has to be said, the entire Ulster pack, who always had the edge over the Glasgow eight and were responsible for Ulster’s only try.
The wet conditions at Scotstoun dictated a cautious game from both sides and it was no surprise that the first half was dominated by the goal kickers. First to show was Ulster’s outhalf Jackson who attempted a penalty from inside his own half only for the ball to drift wide.
The kicking contest continued with Pienaar attempting a massive penalty from just outside his own ten metre line but again there was no reward for what seemed overreaching ambition.
At the other end Glasgow centre Peter Horne was off target from 35 metres out leaving the sides deadlocked after 15 minutes. But on his second attempt from a similar position Horne sent the ball straight through the posts for the first points of the game to give Glasgow the lead going into the second quarter.
The Warriors’ advantage was brief as Jackson levelled the scores with his first success of the match then put Ulster ahead with his second successful attempt at goal after Glasgow had illegally stopped a forward drive.
With half-time approaching Ulster created their best scoring chance with a kick by Pienaar into Glasgow’s 22, and only frantic scramble defence prevented a try.
A minute into the second half Horne attempted to bring his side level but again the inside centre was wide of the posts. Play switched to the other end courtesy of another telling kick from Pienaar. But at what should have been an advantageous line-out, the ball was thrown in crooked.
It was needed for Glasgow who had just lost Horne to injury. But the pressure continued from Ulster with a series of pick and drive moves that demanded energy-draining defence from the home side.
Glasgow were again under the cosh when their Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg was bundled into touch close to the Warriors’ line. But from the ensuing line-out Ulster again failed to breach a dogged home defence.
Pienaar then lined up a kick five metres inside this own half but this time the ball did not have the range. It signalled a change of tactic for Ulster who at their next penalty, kicked the ball to the corner.
The ploy had an immediate result, as the Ulster forwards powered their diesel engine to maximum torque for an unstoppable try credited to Chris Henry albeit it required confirmation from the TMO. Jackson added the conversion and suddenly the balance of the game had changed.
Glasgow’s problems continued when the Warriors’ scrum was penalised allowing Jackson to kick his third penalty of the match putting the visitors into a seemingly unassailable 16-3 lead.
In response or perhaps desperation Glasgow began to throw the ball about but, entertaining though it was, it brought little in the way of a threat to the Ulster defence and it was Ulster who claimed further points with a fourth penalty goal from Jackson.
Glasgow did save themselves from embarrassment with a try right on full time by replacement Nikola Matawalu from a clever cross kick by fellow replacement Scott Wight but it proved to be only a token score that could not prevent Ulster from taking the honours
GLASGOW WARRIORS: S Hogg; B McGuigan, P Murchie, P Horne, A Dunbar; R Jackson, H Pyrgos; R Grant, D Hall, M Cusack; T Ryder, A Kellock; J Strauss, C Fusaro, R Wilson. Replacements: N Matawalu for McGuigan (36 mins), S Wight for Horne (46 mins), R Harley for Strauss and J Barclay for Fusaro (both 55 mins), F Gillies for Hall (69 mins), O Fainga’anuku for Cusack (73 mins), T Swinson for Ryder (78 mins).
ULSTER: J Payne; T Bowe, D Cave, P Wallace, A Trimble; P Jackson, R Pienaar; T Court, R Best, J Afoa; J Muller, D Tuohy; I Henderson, C Henry, N Williams. Replacements: C Black for Court (69 mins), L Marshall for Wallace (73 mins), M McComish for Henderson (77 mins), C Gilroy for Trimble (75 mins), P Marshall for Jackson (78 mins).
Referee: M Raynal (France).
