[tag=image]http://www.shawlandsacademy.glasgow.sch ... rriors.jpg[/tag][tag=content]Glasgow Warriors produced a superb second half comeback to defeat Ulster at Scotstoun Stadium and head to the Guinness PRO12 final in Belfast next week, winning by the slender scoreline of 16-14.
A late try from DTH van der Merwe secured the win for the Scots who were probably the second best team in the tie overall, while Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg provided 11 points for the hosts.
Ulster were 8-6 up at the break through a Chris Henry try, but despite having the wind advantage in the second half they could not push on and will be bitterly disappointed they did not come away with the victory.
Both sides got off to quick starts with Pienaar and Russell trading penalties within the first five minutes, before Hogg gave his side a 13th minute lead with a 55m penalty of his own.
Ulster, however, were showing great signs of attacking potential, and a fantastic flowing move was eventually finished off in the corner by openside flanker Henry just before the 20 minute mark, restoring the visitors’ lead.
Despite being into the wind, Ulster were dominating proceedings and but for a knock on from Roger Wilson it looked like they might be over for a second try after half hour.
And they nearly had that second score just before half-time when Glasgow winger Nikola Matawalu fly hacked a ball into midfield and Louis Ludik scrambled towards the line only to be held just short by Chris Fusaro.
Only five minutes after the restart Glasgow had a great chance to take the lead when Jared Payne fumbled a pass from Darren Cave, and the dangerous Matawalu latched onto it only to drop it with the line beckoning.
Instead it was the visitors who were first on the scoreboard in the second period as Pienaar slotted his second penalty of the evening to take the score to 11-6.
Glasgow were having more possession in the second half, but their composure in the Ulster 22 was letting them down.
They did open their own account for the second half after 60 minutes with a Russell penalty but Pienaar was on hand to restore the Irish province’s lead to five with a long penalty of his own seven minutes later.
Glasgow were not to be denied though and they slowly worked their way up the field in the dying moments of the game before working the ball wide for substitute DTH van der Merwe to slide over in the corner.
With all the pressure on him, Russell showed nerves of steel to land the conversion from the touchline to send Glasgow to the final in Belfast next Saturday.
The scorers
For Glasgow
Try: van der Merwe
Con: Russell
Pens: Russell (2), Hogg
For Ulster
Try: Henry
Pens: Pienaar (3)
GLASGOW WARRIORS
(15-9) Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour (DTH van der Merwe 67), Richie Vernon, Peter Horne (Sean Lamont 70), Nikola Matawalu (Duncan Weir 78), Finn Russell, Henry Pyrgos; (1-8) Ryan Grant (Gordon Reid 45), Fraser Brown (Pat MacArthur 20), Roussow de Klerk (Mike Cusack 53), Jonny Gray, Alastair Kellock (Leone Nakarawa 20), Josh Strauss, Chris Fusaro (Ryan Wilson 40), Adam Ashe.
ULSTER RUGBY
(15-9) Louis Ludik, Tommy Bowe, Jared Payne, Darren Cave (Stuart McCloskey 76), Craig Gilroy, Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar; (1-8) Callum Black (Andrew Warwick 71), Rory Best, Ricky Lutton, Lewis Stevenson (Robbie Diack 76), Dan Tuohy, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry (Sean Reidy 77), Roger Wilson.
Subs not used: Rob Herring, Bronson Ross, Paul Marshall, Michael Allen.
Man of the Match: Finn Russell (Glasgow)
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)[/tag]
Match Report: Glasgow Warriors 16-14 Ulster Rugby
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