Patient Ulster get the goods in rainy Glasgow
The Irish are still unbeaten since the start of the season but had to be patient in a game dominated by the poor weather conditions.
Ulster played a fast flowing rugby in recent weeks but had to go back to basics to overcome a resilient Scottish side determined not to lose grip with their European campaign.
As it is, with two defeats in as many game, it looks like their Heineken Cup season will stop after the group stages once again.
They never stopped going and were very courageous in defence but they never got to grip with the ball long enough to put Ulster in any sort of danger.
And when they did, Peter Horne’s poor kicking display (one from four) prevented from getting the scoreboard ticking.
Ulster, however, showed their class in the second half through returning Springbok while Rory Best was imperial in the set pieces and in the loose to get the pressure on Glasgow.
In a first half dominated by the rain, it was Ulstermen who adapted best and they led 6-3 at the break thanks to two penalties from Paddy Jackson against one for Thorne.
Ulster started the second half on the front foot to put pressure on Glasgow but the home side were superb in defence and managed to keep them at bay for 20 minutes before the Irish finally broke the deadlock.
From a well-worked catch and drive, Ulster’s forwards put the Scots on the back foot and Henry managed to roll over and put the ball down to take crucial 13-3 lead in a very close game.
Jackson extended the lead soon after with his third penalty of the game which eventually sealed the win for the Ulstermen.
Niko Matawalu scored in the dying minutes of the game but it was too little too late for the Scots.
For Galsgow:
Tries: Matawalu
Penalties: Thorne
For Ulster
Tries: Henry
Conversions: Jackson
Penalties: Jackson 4
Glasgow: Hogg; McGuigan, Murchie, Horne, Dunbar; Jackson, Pyrgos; Grant, Hall, Cusack; Ryder, Kellock (capt.); Strauss, Fusaro, Wilson.
Replacements: Gillies, Fainga’anuku, Reid, Swinson, Harley, Barclay, Wight, Matawalu.
Ulster: Payne; Bowe, Cave, Wallace, Trimble; Jackson, Pienaar; Court, Best, Afoa; Muller (capt.), Tuohy; Henderson, Henry, Williams.
Replacements: Herring, Black, Macklin, Stevenson, McComish, Marshall, Marshall, Gilroy.
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Star man: Rory Best – Ulster
NICK VERDIER
