In a hard-fought battle at Scotstoun Stadium, Ulster took three points against a Glasgow Warriors side with a formidable home record in Round 2 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.
The contest was full of drama, with both teams scoring five tries and finding themselves down to 13 players at different stages of the second half.
In a brave performance, Ulster showed a reaction to Round 1’s opening defeat against Edinburgh.
Ulster were dealt an early blow before kick-off at Scotstoun, as Jacob Stockdale was ruled out in the warm-up. Ben Carson was drafted into the midfield, with Ethan McIlroy replacing Stockdale at 15.
It was a strong start from Ulster who won early an penalty and attacked from the lineout.
In only the third minute, Bryn Ward would score an early try, powering over after a quick tap and go penalty from 5m out. The captain Tom Stewart made a powerful carry and tip pass onto Ward to power over. Jack Murphy’s conversion added the extra two points for an early 0-7 score.
In the 10th minute Glasgow responded. Ulster felt there was an unfortunate penalty after Mullins and Benson tackled George Horne into touch, however the referee adjudged that the player’s knee was down and gave a penalty.
From the following lineout, Glasgow ran an attack play that saw Dan Lancaster feed Josh McKay through a gap to score. Horne’s conversion brought things level only ten minutes in.
Ulster responded well from the restart, getting into Glasgow territory and driving forward before a knock on in contact.
With Ulster controlling possession and territory, the game took a twist when Dan Lancaster committed a deliberate knock on, with Ulster having attackers and a two man overlap on the left channel.
He was sent to the bin and Ulster would take advantage, scoring on the 21st minute through Ethan McIlroy.
After attacking from a lineout, the Ulster forwards went through the carries just short of Glasgow’s whitewash, and with penalty advantage Jack Murphy found McIlroy with a great whipped pass and the full-back finished. Murphy’s conversion went agonisingly wide.
Ulster were left to rue their own error shortly after the restart, with a misplaced pass giving Glasgow an attacking lineout in the Ulster 22.
From that set piece, Stafford McDowall’s pass out wide was perfect to Kyle Rowe, who found space and finished in the corner. Horne’s conversion put the home side in front at 14-12.
Ulster were dealt an injury blow when Bryn Ward had to come off early to be replaced by James McNabney in the 31st minute.
With half-time approaching in the 40th minute, Ulster took advantage of a moment of madness, as a penalty to Glasgow was reversed by the referee, after George Horne threw the ball at Tom Stewart.
From the reversed penalty, Ulster went to the corner and attacked through the lineout.
After multiple drives towards the line from the forwards, the ball was worked right to Ethan McIlroy, who delivered a lovely back-handed offload to Jack Murphy, who crashed over. Murphy made the conversion to send Ulster into the lead at HT.
HT: Glasgow Warriors 14-19 Ulster
Ulster began the second half on the front foot and were resolute in their defensive work. As the home side were trying to gain early momentum, Ulster were strong in defence.
In the 46th minute, Ulster secured a bonus-point try, with Ethan McIlroy instrumental again.
With Ulster going through the passing phases in attack, McIlroy was able to break the defensive line and spin his defender before producing a superb pass out wide to Chay Mullins.
Mullins produced the finish in the corner to mark his debut with a score. Murphy’s pinpoint conversion made the scoreline 14-26 to the visitors.
In the space of under two minutes, the game swung.
First Ben Carson was shown a yellow card for making head contact with Stafford McDowall, who was removed following for an HIA.
Moments later, Ethan McIlroy joined his fellow Ulsterman in the sin-bin after a TMO check confirmed a deliberate knock on that prevented a Glasgow attack.
With 52 minutes on the clock, Glasgow took full advantage and Jamie Dobie’s converted try pulled the home side to within five points.
Ulster were able to hold out defensively for the next few minutes, with David McCann managing to hold up a Glasgow maul drive over the line.
The pressure told in the 58th minute, as replacement prop Sam Talakai muscled his way over for Glasgow’s fourth. Horne’s conversion ensured Franco Smith’s side re-took the lead.
Things looked to get worse only four minutes later, as Kyle Rowe produced a stunning individual effort from inside his own half to race away and score a fifth try for the Warriors. Horne’s missed conversion brought the scoreline to 33-26.
Determined to keep battling, Ulster were replenished back up to full strength, and had brought on the powerful South African number eight, Juarno Augustus.
Through multiple carries, Ulster had Glasgow pinned on their own goal-line, and the away side were racking up penalty advantage.
In a reversal, Glasgow were then sent to 13 men, after yellow cards were given to Rory Darge and the try-scorer Sam Talakai.
In the 72nd minute, Ulster’s pressure was rewarded, as Juarno Augustus drove his way over the line for a well-earned score. Doak’s conversion levelled the contest.
Glasgow dramatically had a chance to take a late lead in the 75th minute after a turnover penalty on Ben Carson, however George Horne’s effort pinged off the upright.
Ulster went to grab the win themselves; however Zac Ward was put into touch on the left wing and the contest was called to a halt.
Both teams emptied the tanks in a fast-paced game of rugby.
Ulster can take the three points and positives into next week, as Richie Murphy’s men welcome Munster to Belfast for the first interpro derby of the new season.
FT: Glasgow Warriors 33-33 Ulster Rugby
Scorers:
Glasgow Warriors:
TRY: McKay, Rowe (2), Dobie, Talakai
CON: Horne (4)
Yellow Cards: Lancaster, Darge, Talakai
Ulster Rugby:
TRY: Bryn Ward, McIlroy, Murphy, Mullins, Augustus
CON: Murphy (3), Doak
Yellow Cards: Carson, McIlroy
Teams
Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Kyle Rowe, Stafford McDowall (CAPT), Sione Tuipulotu, Jamie Dobie, Dan Lancaster, George Horne, Patrick Schickerling, Gregor Hiddleston, Fin Richardson, Gregor Brown, Max Williamson, Ally Miller, Angus Fraser, Matt Fagerson
Replacements: Seb Stephen, Nathan McBeth, Sam Talakai, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, Macenzzie Duncan, Callum Reidy, Bayley Kuenzle
Ulster Rugby: Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart (CAPT), Keynan Knox, Cormac Izuchukwu, Eli Snyman, James McKillop, David McCann, Bryn Ward, Matthew Devine, Jack Murphy, Zac Ward, Jamie Benson, Ben Carson, Chay Mullins, Ethan McIlroy
Replacements: Henry Walker, Tom McAllister, Eduardo Bello, Ben Donnell, James McNabney, Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery, Juarno Augustus