A not too hairy Humph calls out the orders for Ulster against Glasgow. Picture from rugbypicture.co.uk
It was great to be back at Ravers again for this opening fixture in the PRO12 though I must admit most of the time was spent gossiping and catching up rather than actually running a critical eye over Ulster’s performance.
The evening didn’t get off to the best of starts though as having had nothing to eat all day I decided to avail of a deliciously tasty bacon and maple syrup crêpe only to find, as I munched away, that the maple syrup was running, not dribbling, but running, in a steady stream down the front of my Kukri top and jeans leaving me a sweet and sticky mess – much to the amusement of my companions.
Just about time to get sponged down in the toilet block and grab a couple of quick pints before making my way to the Prom just in time to find the ” rather more sexy looking” Rockettes strutting their stuff. After a sizzling performance, that had Caveman reaching for his glasses for a better look, the girls somersaulted off to make way for the main event of the night – the gossiping and chatting and general ligging about that makes a night at Ravers such fun! Well for a lot of years we did have to make our own entertainment!
These days Ulster are providing a touch more entertainment on the pitch and there was a frisson of excitement to see how the young back line would perform in their opening competitive fixture.
Unfortunately things didn’t pan out as planned as the Glasgow back line, featuring ex Ulster players Rob Dewey and Tommy Seymour, started the better and led through an early try by former Connacht centre Troy Nathan.
Ulster hit back with a Humphreys penalty and moments later a promising break looked to have broken down after a loose kick ahead from Cave. Quicker than you could say “Oh no Darren you shouldn’t kick” the centre was through on a loose pass and over the try line for Ulster to take the lead! Humphreys added the extras for Ulster to lead 10 – 5.
The game went through a period of stagnation with the forwards slugging it out and the defenses on top but Glasgow managed to get within 2 points with a Weir penalty on the 36th minute.
Ulster hit back almost immediately with a quick thinking show and go from Paul Marshall slipping over in the corner after good work from Tuohy but some of the gloss was taken off before the half time break with Weir adding another penalty on the stroke of half time. 15 – 11.
You know you are back at Ravers when the rain starts coming down at half time and the second half was a bit of a dirge and we turned to amusing ourselves as both teams struggled for continuity in this early season games. A new, rather high pitch, chant was formed and it seemed to inspire the ULS – TER-RFC team as Ian Humphreys stretched Ulster’s lead with two penalties, in reply to one from Weir, before Chris Henry barged over for a late try.
With the clock ticking down Ulster pushed for a bonus point try but it was too little too late and time ran out with the score reading Ulster 28 Glasgow 14.
An OK performance from Ulster but a mysterious lack of use of the bench in the second half. Forwards were struggling for the same umph they had against Harlequins and I would have like to have seen McComb and Diack getting a run.
Ulster: (15-9) Adam D’Arcy, Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Nevin Spence, Ian Whitten, Ian Humphreys, Paul Marshall (1-8) Paddy McAllister, Andi Kyriacou, Jerry Cronin, Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy, Pedrie Wannenburg, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry (capt). (16-22) Nigel Brady, Conor Carey, Adam Macklin, Neil McComb, Robbie Diack, Ian Porter, Paddy Jackson, Peter Nelson
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4 Responses to “PRO12: Ulster 28 Glasgow 14. Now with video.”
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The problem for the Ulster forwards in the second half was due to alack lustre display from Marshall with the boot close to the Ulster 22 the team spent to long in their own half .for the forwards to get out of second gear and with a narrow lead the game was tthere to be lost by silly mistakes.
While offensively Glasgow had really little to offer their forwards and backs both tackled well giving few opportunities for the Ulster backs to fruitfully run the ball.
I reckon quite a few sides will find Glasgow a hard side to beat with a bonus point win.
During this part of the season with most sides in the this league weaken by call ups it will be difficult to assess the true merits of any of any of the squads but I sense Ulsters stand ins will give a good account of themselves.
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Good to be back happy enough with the result although it was a shame that we couldnt get the BP with all the chances that we created. I’m also a little bemused about the lack of use from the bench, a game like that was begging for an impact player like Diack to be brought on and give us that extra boost to get over the try line. But fair play to Glasgow, they held firm until the end.
Good performances from some of the senior guys, thought big Dan had a cracker, although I have to say Dizzy looked lost out on the wing, I had hoped that he would have switched with Spence at some stage to try out different centre combinations as that debate rages on. All in all a good way to start off and keep Fortress Ravenhill just that!
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How far have we come in the last few years that we are now grumbling about not getting a bonus point win!! and yes I agree with the previous posters – we should have got the BP and that is the next big step for Ulster to make if we really want to mix it with the big boys.
I thought that Cave and Spence both had a very good game with Cave just shading it. I also thought that Marshall stepped up his game from the Quins game with his passing and movement being tht much sharper and if he can continue chipping in with regular tries then it definately looking good in the scrum half posittion.
Overall I thought that it was a solid start to a long season.
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Too bad about his kicking!
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