Sensational Warriors hold on to defy Bulls

By LUKE JARMYN

Bulls ……………………………… 16pts Glasgow Warriors ………. 21pts

Tries: Van Staden 24

Conversions: Goosen 25

Penalties: Goosen 1, 14, 51

Tries: Cummings 40, Turner 53, Jones 62 Conversions: G Horne 40+1, 54, 63

SCOTTISH rugby legend Jim Telfer once spoke of winning in South Africa as toppling Everest, and that’s what Glasgow did in Pretoria last night, showing true heart and determination to be crowned URC champions in spectacular fashion.

Franco Smith’s men wiped away their nearly man tag and any doubts that they couldn’t step up for the big occasion as they dealt with the travel and the high altitude to beat the Bulls at their own game.

The victory is Glasgow’s – and Scotland‘s – first piece of silverware since their last title nine years ago.

Huw Jones, who scored the winning try, said: “This is incredible. What a shift the boys put in. It’s a cliché but this means everything. Coming away to South Africa, we don’t complain about the travel but it’s a tough place to come and play regardless. Bulls were immense. We had to dig deep in defence and we somehow kept them out at the end.”

Looking comfortable in front of a packed Loftus Versfeld Stadium, pre-match favourites the Bulls pounced first, forcing Glasgow to concede a penalty for not releasing with fly-half Johan Goosen giving them a three-point lead within 90 seconds.

Jake White’s side dominated territory, possession and the penalty count early on, with Goosen doubling Bulls lead in the 14th minute after Glasgow’s front row popped up at scrum-time.

Bulls tighthead Wil-co Louw saw his try scrubbed off on the 20th minute for a double movement, but a poor Glasgow clearance kickk allowed Bulls to earn a lineout deep in the Scottish side’s territory, and blindside Marco van Staden bulldozed through three defenders to score a brutal first phase effort.

Champions: Glasgow Warriors raise the trophy after their URC triumph in Pretoria last night

Dasher: Jamie Dobie scores for Glasgow

Glasgow conceded six penalties in a row, but a running break from skipper Kyle Steyn put the visitors deep into Bulls territory for the first time, and they scored on the cusp of half-time when lock Scott Cummings finished a series of phases to dive over.

Warriors looked transformed after the break, winning the physical contests but another infringement – against No.8 Jack Dempsey – saw Goosen make it 16-7.

Glasgow bounced straight back, and reverted to type with departing hooker George Turner scoring their 23rd maul try of the campaign.

Bulls’ usually imperious scrum begun to crack, and a Goosen kick to touch went dead while the home-side got on the wrong side of the referee as the second-half developed.

Meanwhile Glasgow put together several quick phases before a Steyn offload on his inside shoulder saw ex-Stormers outside-centre Jones slide over to take the lead.

Dempsey intercepted from deep and looked to have scored a 60-metre solo effort to extend Glasgow’s lead four minutes later, before being chalked off for a previous high tackle.

Despite going down to 14 men with Tom Jordan sin-binned for a high tackle, Glasgow showed why they’re seen as second-half specialists, surviving the heat as they had the travel and altitude to seal a memorable win.