A late Nick Timoney try secured the bonus point for Ulster over Glasgow Warriors and keep the slim hopes of a Guinness PRO14 playoff spot alive.
John Cooney opened the scoring while Timoney grabbed a brace. Sean Reidy was Ulster’s other try scorer.
Ulster 36
TRY: John Cooney, Nick Timoney, Sean Reidy. CON: John Cooney, Johnny McPhillips. PEN: John Cooney (3), Johnny McPhillips
Glasgow Warriors 15
TRY: Callum Gibbins. CON: Finn Russell. PEN: Finn Russell.
It took Ulster until the last minute to make the breakthrough last week but John Cooney scored the first try after 12 minutes. Rob Herring was sharp for a Glasgow quick lineout and forcing the away side to carry the ball over their own line. Cooney caught the Glasgow flanker and first defender in two minds and darted over.
It didn’t take long for Glasgow to respond. First, Finn Russell knocked over a penalty before Fraser Brown broke Ross Kane and Nick Timoney and sending Callum Gibbins under the sticks.
Ulster used Charles Piutau and Jacob Stockdale in the wide channels to a reasonable amount of success. Similarly Glasgow were attacking Ulster through Tommy Seymour and Stuart Hogg. Luke Marshall was drafted in ahead of Darren Cave and was one occasion pulled out of position by the run from Nick Grigg.
Glasgow piled on the pressure in the second half and decreased thee gap to one point through Gibbons. Ulster found themselves under the pump in the second half but defended valiantly. Clive Ross was a nuisance at the breakdown and in the mauls. The former Lansdowne player has had limited game time this year but any time he has been called upon, he has delivered a reliable performance.
Jacob Stockdale fashioned an overlap out of nothing with 14 minutes gone in the second half allowing Nick Timoney to barge over in the corner. Ulster continued to press and another try followed through Sean Reidy.
Ulster continued in a similar manner and were rewarded with the much needed bonus point try. With 82 minutes on the clock, Ulster showed great composure and ball retention in the Glasgow 22m line. Nick Timoney received the ball on the wing and showed good awareness to step inside and had enough power to get over the line.
With the Champions Cup play off spot secured, a top three spot is still possible however it is looking unlikely. Ulster must win with a bonus point over Munster next week and hope that Glasgow deny Edinburgh any match points in their derby match.
