Glasgow Warriors grabbed their fourth straight Magners League win – achieving their first season’s double over Ulster in the process – as a four-try blast and 15 points from the boot of Dan Parks saw them reign supreme at Ravenhill.
Despite a determined performance from Ulster, Glasgow maintained their winning run in the league with a late flurry of points in sunny Belfast.
Having been 22-12 down, tries from wingers Simon Danielli and Tommy Bowe, with Paddy Wallace converting the latter’s effort, saw Ulster hit the front with just 16 minutes remaining.
Ulster had the shackles off for parts of this game, as Connacht’s Friday night defeat to Cardiff meant that their place in next season’s Heineken Cup was assured.
But Sean Lineen’s side regained control, late on, with winger Thom Evans breaking through for a converted try and out-half Dan Parks added some extra cushion with two late penalty goals.
Ulster were trying to protect a four-match unbeaten home record under Matt Williams and they began brightly, camping in Glasgow territory thanks to some patient build-up play.
But their plans to make an early mark on the scoreboard went awry when Glasgow scored on the counter in the sixth-minute.
The ball popped out the back of an Ulster ruck, Glasgow seized control and centre Max Evans sent up a pinpoint chip and with the Ulster defence scattered, winger Lome Fa’atau had an easy run-in.
Parks converted and after some indiscipline from the hosts – Neil Best was punished for some backchat – the Scottish international tagged on a tenth-minute penalty for a 10-0 score-line.
Ulster got back on the front foot and were rewarded for turning down a shot at the posts when scrum half Isaac Boss crossed for a try from close range.
Boss’ half-back partner Wallace landed the conversion and Williams’ side pushed ahead in the 24th-minute when number 8 Roger Wilson rumbled over for a try after a lineout catch and drive.
But a five-pointer from Wilson’s opposite number Johnnie Beattie, who was put clear by the fast-breaking Graeme Morrison, saw the Scots go in at the break with a 15-12 advantage.
Glasgow strengthened their lead, three minutes after the restart, when Ulster’s defence was again caught napping as centre Max Evans pounced for a try which Parks converted.
Nonetheless, Ulster then launched a stirring comeback while Glasgow prop Moray Low was in the sin-bin for hauling down a maul.
Fit-again winger Danielli crossed for a try in the left corner and Bowe also struck – taking his league try tally to four by collecting a Boss kick and haring up the touchline.
Wallace’s conversion had Ulster ahead but their lead was shortlived as Parks banged over a penalty, 13 minutes from the finish.
Parks, the league’s top points scorer this season, then collected his own kick ahead to help send Thom Evans over for the Warriors’ bonus point-clinching try.
And although John Barclay received a late yellow card, the away win was sealed when Parks nudged his third successful penalty through the uprights.
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