Russell show seals Glasgow top spot

 

Two tries for Finn Russell and a brilliant solo effort from Stuart Hogg put the Warriors on the cusp before Richie Vernon put the icing on the cake with seven minutes to go.

 

Ulster had taken a 10-6 lead going into the break but Glasgow rallied in the second period and ran over four tries to set up another clash with Neil Doak's men. 

 

It looked as though Glasgow would set the pace as Russell's kick to touch set up an early attack down the right.

 

And that set up the opening score of the day as Russell's effort from the tee gave first blood to the Warriors.

 

Ulster were struggling to find a foothold in the match as Glasgow went on the hunt for the first try but Paul Marshall's kick to touch moved them up-field and eased the pressure on the defence.

 

But there was a major blow for the visitors after 18 minutes as Franco van der Merwe limped off with an injury.

 

The momentum had shifted and Ulster looked likely to get on the board but for a series of sloppy forward passes.

 

They were pushing hard though and almost found a way over after 25 minutes but some last-ditch defending from the home side kept Ulster at bay.

 

With all the territory and the wind at their backs Ulster were throwing everything at the Glasgow defence and finally had their reward after 28 minutes when Jonny Gray was sent to the bin for the home side.

 

A maul forced Chris Henry over the line and Ian Humphreys kept cool and saw his conversion swerve through the uprights for 3-7.

 

But Glasgow moved within one shortly after as Russell stayed calm in the face of a strong headwind.

 

However, Humphreys knocked over his first penalty of the match to extend his side's lead to four before the break.

 

Both sides came out fighting in the second period but it was Glasgow who were slowly imposing themselves on the match.

 

Nikola Matawalu was causing Ulster all sorts of problems with dynamic running and he started the move that got Glasgow going as the ball was swung to the right and into the palms of Hogg.

 

A chip over the top and blistering pace followed and Hogg slid over to give his side a one-point advantage.

 

That score ignited Gregor Townsend's men and a brilliant dart through the middle saw Russell run through Marshall and crash over before converting.

 

Suddenly a spot in the top two seemed like it might be within grasp and the Scotstoun faithful responded as they looked to drive their side on.

 

Ulster found themselves down to 14 as Andrew Warwick saw yellow and Glasgow smelled blood as they nearly forced their way over after 65 minutes.

 

A penalty five metres out kept the pressure on the Ulster defence and, with ten minutes left, Russell got his second try of the day.

 

The momentum was Glasgow's and they secured their home advantage with seven minutes remaining as Vernon dotted down and Russell's conversion made it 32-10.

 

 

Tries: Vernon, Hogg, Russell 2

Cons: Russell 3

Pens: Russell 2

 

Try: Henry

Con: Humphreys

Pen: Humphreys

 

 

 

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Richie Vernon, 12 Peter Horne, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Niko Matawalu, 8 Adam Ashe, 7 Chris Fusaro, 6 Josh Strauss, 5 Al Kellock (Captain), 4 Jonny Gray, 3 Rossouw de Klerk, 2 Dougie Hall, 1 Ryan Grant.

Replacements: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Mike Cusack, 19 Leone Nakarawa, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Peter Murchie.

 

Ulster: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Rory Scholes, 13 Sam Arnold, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Mike Allen, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Paul Marshall, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Chris Henry (captain), 6 Clive Ross, 5 Francois van der Merwe, 4 Lewis Stevenson, 3 Ricky Lutton, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Andrew Warwick.

Replacements: 16 Rory Best, 17 Kevin McCall, 18 Bronson Ross, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Roger Wilson, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Paddy Jackson, 23 Tommy Bowe.

 

Referee: Ian Davies (Wales)

Assistant Referees: Neil Paterson (Scotland), Sam Grove-White (Scotland)

TMO: Jim Yuille (Scotland)

 

Source: @PRO12rugby