Glasgow Warriors 33-33 Ulster

A brace of tries from Kyle Rowe, alongside tries from Josh McKay, Jamie Dobie and Sam Talakai, saw Franco Smith’s side claim an attacking bonus-point alongside the draw, in the first match played on the new Scotstoun pitch.

With the Warrior Nation in full voice as the smoke from the pre-match pyrotechnics cleared, it was the visitors who made the brighter start under the Scotstoun floodlights. Sustained possession in the Glasgow 22 eventually saw Bryn Ward barge his way over from close-range, the conversion giving Ulster a 7-0 lead with just four minutes on the clock.

Glasgow’s response was swift, with Sione Tuipulotu thundering his way over the gain line each and every time he carried. The centre was at the heart of the home side’s opening score with 10 minutes played, as superb set-piece ball from Gregor Hiddleston allowed George Horne to feed the Scotland skipper. His pass out the back to Dan Lancaster allowed the fly-half to send the onrushing McKay over the whitewash untouched, Horne converting to level the scores.

Momentum would swing back towards the visitors as the opening quarter drew to a close, restoring their lead as the clock ticked past 20 minutes. With Lancaster in the sin-bin after a deliberate knock-on, good goal-line defence from the Warriors was ultimately in vain as Ethan McIlroy showed enough power to get the ball down on a short-line. The conversion drifted wide, leaving the score at 12-7 to Ulster.

Once again, the Warriors answered the challenge. Despite their numerical disadvantage, the hosts were next to trouble the scorers, gaining reward for repeated penalties within the Ulster 22. Stafford McDowall was the man to unlock a stubborn Ulster defence, floating a beautifully-weighted pass into the path of Rowe for the simplest of runs-in. Horne converted, and the Warriors had their first lead of the night.

Defences were now predominantly on top, one particular bone-crushing hit from Matt Fagerson bringing the noise up a notch from the Warrior Nation. The final word of a physical first 40 minutes, however, would go to the Ulstermen. Once again the score came off the back of sustained pressure in the Glasgow 22, Ben Carson producing an impressive offload to send Jack Murphy over. The fly-half converted his own try for good measure, Ulster leading 19-14 at the interval as a result.

It would get better for the visitors five minutes after the restart, as they extended their advantage by crossing for their fourth – and bonus point – score of the evening. A well-worked handling move saw McIlroy feed Chay Mullins on a two-on-one, the winger showing just enough pace to hold off the tackle of McKay to dive over in the corner. Murphy added the extras, giving his side a 12-point lead.

Roared on by a sold-out Scotstoun, the Warriors surged forward in search of a response. Phase upon phase of pressure in the Ulster 22 saw Carson and McIlroy shown yellow cards in quick succession, and the defensive dam eventually burst. Glasgow scrum dominance 15 metres out allowed Tuipulotu to rip a 25-metre pass to Dobie for the score, Horne adding the extras to narrow the deficit.

The Warriors pressed home their advantage just four minutes later, with Horne at the heart of the action once more. The scrum-half’s quick tap penalty and chip ahead forced Ulster to carry over their own try-line, and from the platform the Warriors would strike. Bayley Kuenzle’s carry took the home side close, before Talakai provided the short-range finish to draw his side level. Horne converted to take Glasgow back in front, as an end-to-end encounter continued to deliver.

With the Warrior Nation urging them forward once more, the try of the night followed just as Ulster found themselves restored to full strength. The individual brilliance of Rowe took centre stage, the winger turning on the afterburners from halfway to race clear on an outside arc and beat three defenders on his way to a sensational solo score. The conversion drifted wide, but Glasgow had a 33-26 lead.

Yet Ulster refused to go quietly, throwing everything at the Glasgow defence in search of a foothold back in the match. This time it was the Warriors who fell foul of the referee’s interpretations, as Rory Darge and Talakai saw themselves shown yellow cards as they defended their own try-line. The visitors made their own advantage count, replacement back-row Juarno Augustus making the crucial carry to barge over for his side’s fifth try. Nathan Doak added the extras to tie the match, setting up a grandstand finale under the lights.

In the end, however, neither side could find the crucial breakthrough. A penalty attempt from Horne struck the upright with just three minutes remaining, whilst a last-ditch cover tackle from Rowe saw Ulster denied a breakaway score with the clock in the red.

Three points apiece was the outcome, one applauded by the Warrior Nation as they rose to welcome their side back to Scotstoun. A six-day turnaround now awaits Smith’s men, as they welcome Connacht under the Friday night lights next weekend.