Warriors’ play-off bid in balance after loss in South Africa
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GLASGOWWARRIORS 17
Glasgow’s play-off hopes hang by a thread – and may now depend on their getting a result against Edinburgh in three weeks – after they fell to a second successive defeat in South Africa last night.
The Warriors were far more impressive against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld than against thestormersaweekearlierand fought all the way to the end in search of a losing bonus. Yet despitethatrousingending,the biggerpictureshowedasecond half in which they were steadily worn down by the home side after going in at the break just seven points behind.
The Bulls, in the eighth and last URC play-off place before kick-off, rose to second thanks to picking up a try bonus in this first match of the weekend. They knew they would slip down a rung or three once other teams played, but even so they are well in contention for a top-four finish and the home quarter-final that goes with it.
By contrast, the Warriors will fall to eighth today if Edinburgh pick up so much as a point against Ulster. They will then be looking anxiously over their shoulders at the Scarlets, whose own hopes of a play-off are by no means over.
Danny Wilson’s side got off to an excellent start in Pretoria, being awarded a penalty try after the home side collapsed a mauljustshortoftheirowngoal line. Bulls number eight Elrigh Louw was yellow-carded for the team offence, but the South Africansfoughtbackwellwhile a man down and levelled when scrum-half Zak Burger dotted down close to the posts, to leave Morne Steyn an easy conversion.
Duncan Weir nudged Glasgow back in front with a penaltymidwaythroughthehalf,but a second Steyn penaltybrought thebullslevelat10-10.whenthe veteranstand-offslicedanother, easier chance wide just before thebreak,thatlookedlikebeing that for the first half.
However, in time added on, Zander Fagerson was yellowcarded for committing one too many offences and the Bulls immediatelymadetheiradvantage count. A penalty was sent to touch, the forwards carried close to the line and winger Madosh Tambwe finished off on the right, with Steyn again converting.
Despite being handicapped by injuries to key ball-winners Rory Darge and Tom Gordon, the Warriors defended well for almost the entire third quarter, but then lost two tries in quick succession. Lock Walt Steenkamp got the first, bursting through after a short pass from Burger. Then substitute Cyle Brink finished off after heavy
pressurefromthepacktoclaim the bonus point.
Steyn converted the first, his replacement Chris Smith hit the post from the second, but it was immaterial. Glasgow had expendedsomuchenergystayinginthecontestitseemedclear therewasnowaytheywouldbe able to find the three full scores needed to regain the lead.
They did get one back five minutes from time when Ollie Smith sliced through after a lineout, and Ross Thompson’s conversion left them five points short of a losing bonus. They thought they had the try they needed when Smith finished off, but Sione Tuipulotu’s forward pass in the build-up meant it was chalked off.