Despite 4 tries Ulster lose against Glasgow

Ulster gifted Glasgow a game that they really should have been able to win and it shows that Matt Williams still really has his work cut out if he’s going to turn this team around and restore the pride that we all associate with playing for Ulster.

Playing with the wind in the first half all the initial pressure came from Ulster but in a story that was to repeat itself throughout the afternoon it was an Ulster error that led to the first score Lome Fa’atau breaking away from around the Glasgow 22 to score under the posts for an easy seven points. Paddy Wallace kicked the restart straight out to give Glasgow a scrum in the middle of the park. As things went from bad to worse Ulster were then penalised a few minutes later in front of their posts to give Dan Parks another 3 points and bring up a 10-0 lead to Glasgow.

To their credit Ulster continued to press and the momentum in the first half was definitely with the home side. But vision was definitely lacking as the Ulster half-backs failed to spot the gaping holes in the Glasgow defence out wide on the blind side and continued to press up the middle of the park. Despite this failure some concerted pressure saw Boss crossing the try-line for an easily converted try. Minutes later Ulster spurned the chance of an easy three points and chose instead to go for the corner. Their courage was rewarded when Roger Wilson crashed over for Ulster’s second try. This time Paddy was unable to add the extras but at least it seemed that the ship had been steadied and that Ulster were on their way towards a possible win and maybe even a bonus point.

Glasgow had other ideas though and all the hard work was quickly undone when a Glasgow forward spotted the gap down Paddy Wallace’s channel and surged through virtually unmolested to offload to John Beattie for a simple score.

As Ulster came out for the second half trailing 12-15 there was a definitely lack of noise and belief around the stands, and Matt Williams did not look happy as he retook his seat. When the game restarted another box kick from Boss in side Ulster’s 22 gifted possession to Glasgow who needed no second bidding to immediately re-establish a 10 point cushion when Max Evans burst through the Ulster defence untouched to add another converted try to the total.

Worryingly Carlo Del Fava was substituted off with what looked like a shoulder of Collar-bone injury as Ulster continued to try to grind the life out of the Glasgow pack and as Glasgow turned to foul means to slow the ball and keep Ulster back the Ref was obliged to reach for the yellow card and send a Glasgow player to the bin. Ulster took advantage of the extra man and were soon back on the scoreboard as Simon Danielli crossed in the corner for an unconverted try. From the restart Isaac boss tried yet another box kick but this time Tommy Bowe was able to get on the end of it for a a second try uin as many minutes to draw Ulster level. Paddy Wallace make the pressure conversion to push Ulster ahead 24-22 and we dared to hope. Ulster had their noses in front, a bonus point in the bag and a one-man advantage on the field.

But in a cruel twist it was not to be. When an Ulster player was tackled as by two Glasgow players who were standing off side at a ruck it was Ulster who were penalised for holding on in the tackle rather than the off-side tacklers and Dan Parks eagerly slotted the penalty to nose Glasgow back in front. As if to add insult to injury Dan Parks then produced a lovely little chip and gather over the Ulster defence from inside his own half to release Thom Evans for another Glasgow seven pointer.

With Kieran Campbell on the field for the underperforming Isaac Boss Ulster started to see some quick recycling of the ball behind the rucks and mauls and rather than giving up they continued to press forward for the Glasgow try-line. Again Glasgow resorted to foul means to hold back the white tide and again the ref sent a player to the bin for repeated infringements five metres from the line. Arguably he could also have awarded a penalty try but it was not to be and instead Ulster infringed and Glasgow were able to clear their lines and the game ended Ulster 24 Glasgow 35.

There were definite improvements from the Munster game, particularly in the area of the Line-out and the maul. There were also some real problem areas exposed. The concerted defence that had kept Munster from crossing the line on Wednesday night leaked four tries. Isaac Boss box-kicked too much possession away particularly in vulnerable field positions and we then spent too much time defending and trying to recover the ball. When Naz came on the continuity and speed of release of the ball from the base of the rucks was like a breath of fresh air. I find myself wishing we weren’t letting him go to Connacht. Paddy is a gifted footballer in attack and he has some lovely skills but he does not have the vision and composure to run a game at out-half and he leaves a big soft spot in the line in defence that has been too-frequently exploited by astute opposition.

Next Friday is the last game of the season. Heineken Cup Rugby has been secured for next year and there are reportedly new signings on their way. Matt Williams has a real job to do in the next few months, I hope he can pull it off.

Ulster: M Bartholomeusz; T Bowe, A Trimble, R Dewey, S Danielli; P Wallace, I Boss, J Fitzpatrick, R Best, T Court, C Del Fava, J Harrison, M McCullough, N Best, R Wilson.
Replacements: N Brady, B Young, R Caldwell, K Dawson, K Campbell, N O'Connor, M McCrea.

Glasgow: B Stortoni, L Fa'atau, M Evans, G Morrison, T Evans, D Parks (capt), C Gregor, J Va'a, D Hall, M Low, O Palepoi, D Turner, K Brown, J Barclay, J Beattie.
Replacements: E Milligan, A Newman, K Tkachuk, J Eddie, S Pinder, S Barrow, H O'Hare.