Before we get to Kristian’s report…this post is the 500th on this HoR2 blog since it launched In June 2012. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the 30 different contributors we have had to date. The purpose of this project was to provide a wide range of rugby topics, approaches & opinions and I think it can be said we have done that! Here’s to the next 500 posts…if you’d like to get in on the action drop me a line at paganoblog@gmail.com. JLP
The momentum that got Ulster to the Pro12 summit seems to be slipping, writes Kristian Ross…
The battle for top spot in the PRO12 just got a lot more interesting as Glasgow Warriors beat an error strewn Ulster Rugby side at Scotstoun on Friday.
Mark Anscombe's side were looking for improvement following a scrappy win over Zebre the week before knew that defeat in Scotland could cut the gap at the summit of the table, and were keen to get going quickly.
Ruan Pienaar attempted to get Ulster ahead, but missed the opening penalty of the game, the first of many negatives in a performance that Mark Anscombe labelled as " feeble".
But Ulster did take the lead, minutes after Pienaar missed his first attempt he slotted a good kick from distance to put the men in white in front.
Glasgow themselves then won a penalty, 23 year old Peter Horne stepped up to the tee but his kick didn't have the distance in a night the Glasgow kicker would have wanted to forget. However Glasgow were smiling when they scored the games first try following some good pressure, a massive gap opened as the ball was spread wide and ex Falcons player Tim Swinson gave the Warriors the lead. Peter Horne couldn't convert the try as Ulster realised that this one was going to be trickier than expected.
Luckily for Ulster they were awarded a try right in front of the posts following foul play by the Warriors, and it was no problem for Pienaar who sent over the penalty sending the Ulstermen back in front.
Though on a cold Glasgow night it seemed mistakes would be the theme, a massive mix up in the Ulster scrum saw Glasgow break free and Tommy Seymour was given a gift of a try as Glasgow again moved ahead, Peter Horne missing another kick via the conversion.
And if mistakes were the theme, missed kicks were obviously making an appearance as well, Ruan Pienaar getting another shot at the sticks, but pulling his effort well wide as Ulster finished the first half four points behind.
As the second half got underway the Ulster contingent knew that with just four points the gap the task wasn't out of their reach, but when Paddy Wallace's predictable kick was charge down in his own 22, it was another massive mistake, and Peter Murchie was over to extend the advantage even further, but again Peter Horne couldn't convert his kick.
Glasgow piled on pressure trying to get the fourth and grab what would be a bonus point, but Ulster penned them back, and got themselves back into it when Ruan Pienaar struck a penalty from distance to cut the gap to six points.
With the final quarter approaching Ulster knew they needed the next score in order to keep up the pressure, and thought they had it when Robbie Diack looked to have went over but the pass to him was adjudged forward. Ulster were disappointed but didn't let it show, and had their reward thirteen minutes from the end, the first try in Ulster colours for nineteen year old Stuart Olding finishing off a well executed move after some good passing. Ruan Pienaar knew the kick was vital, and maybe the pressure got to him, his kick will wide and Ulster would still need another score as Glasgow held a one point advantage.
Any chance of that happening though was firmly crushed when the Warriors got the killer blow with a fourth score, a great try from scrum half from Niko Matawalu saw Ulster's revival fade away. However a small slither of hope was still there as Peter Horne incredibly made it a full house of missed kicks right in front of the posts. But Ulster couldn't find their way back into it and had to settle for a losing BP, to the delight of a jubilant Warriors team.
In the end, massive mistakes cost Ulster and Mark Anscombe was not happy with the performance. Not only was the gap at the top cut, but Ulster have seemed to lose momentum over the last few weeks (baring in mind they have had injury problems) and Glasgow capitalised on that. Paddy Wallace is added to the ever growing injury list as he is ruled out for a substantial period of time. Ulster return to Ravenhill to play Treviso in Round 17, in possibly one of the biggest games of the season, the Italians no pushover, and will be high spirited after hammering Ulster's provincial rivals Munster in the previous round.
The top of the PRO12 just got tastier, Ulster know the Glasgow have tough games ahead, but they themselves have a tricky fixture list. They'll need all their wit about them as a depleted squad looks to start winning games in easy fashion like the start of the season, they have class, and youngsters like Stuart Olding are a massive positive showing what is to come in the future.
But one thing is for certain, the momentum needs to start building again, or the top spot that Ulster have held on to all season could slowly start slipping away.
I'm Kristian. 18. And my mind is filled with rugby shaped thoughts. Supporting Ulster Rugby, Newcastle Falcons and of course the mighty Ireland. Tommy Bowe is the MAN !!!! SUFTUM.
