Glasgow Warriors left stunned as Ulster late show downs defending champions
Dave Shanahan, who scored the winner against Glasgow, in action for Ulster.
Glasgow Warriors got their United Rugby Championship defence off to a losing start after Ulster claimed a 20-19 victory on Saturday.
The Scottish outfit were ahead going into the last minute following Kyle Steyn’s try, but the Irish province mounted one last attack.
They pressurised the Warriors line and it resulted in Dave Shanahan going over to snatch the victory.
It had been a tight game throughout with Glasgow moving 12-10 ahead at the break through Johnny Matthews and Henco Venter tries – Aidan Morgan’s score and Nathan Doak’s penalty the hosts’ response.
David McCann and Steyn then traded tries in the last 10 minutes as the visitors appeared to have secured the win, but Shanahan had the final word for the Ulstermen.
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Glasgow took the lead after six minutes when a driving maul off a lineout saw hooker Matthews touch down, but Tom Jordan could not convert.
Ulster hit back after 16 minutes when Doak slotted over a penalty and then two minutes later a charge down by Morgan on Jordan led to a scramble up-field and ultimately a try for the Ulster man.
Doak converted and Ulster led 10-5.
Venter went over for Glasgow’s second try after 25 minutes, with Jordan’s conversion giving the champions a two-point lead.
Eight minutes into the second half, Rory Darge went over in the corner for the Warriors but the try was ruled out by the TMO for a forward pass.
Then just before the 60-minute mark, Jordan was yellow-carded for head contact on Stewart Moore.
Jude Postlethwaite then had what looked to be a try ruled out, but Ulster kept the pressure on and with Richie Gray sin-binned – briefly reducing the visitors to 13 – James McNabney was held up over the line.
Ulster kept up the pressure and McCann scored after 72 minutes, though Morgan was unable to convert.
Ulster had the lead for just two minutes as Glasgow skipper Steyn scored in the corner, Adam Hastings adding a great conversion to put the Scots ahead 19-15 with six minutes remaining.
But Ulster would not lie down and with the clock well in to overtime, Shanahan wriggled over from close range and even though Morgan missed the extras it did not matter.
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Scarlets denied by late Benetton try
The Scarlets were left to rue a late try by Benetton’s Onisi Ratave, which denied them an excellent comeback in the URC.
The Italian outfit dominated the opening 35 minutes and went 12-0 in front via Ratave and Rhyno Smith tries, but the visitors hit back.
Macs Page reduced the arrears at the break before Jarrod Taylor went over and Ioan Lloyd kicked a brace of penalties to move the Welshmen 20-15 in front.
However, they could not hold on and Ratave rescued a 20-20 draw, although Jacob Umaga missed the conversion which would have snatched the win.