Ulster claim Irish bragging rights while injury-ravaged Glasgow Warriors edge Edinburgh

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Ulster's Nick Timoney looks on during a URC clash.

Ulster's Nick Timoney looks on during a URC clash.

Ulster did well to keep a resurgent Connacht at bay right at the end of their derby to sneak out a 20-19 win over their rivals.

It was a tight affair, with the hosts getting their points through Andrew Warwick and Nick Timoney’s tries, whilst John Cooney kicked two conversions and two penalties from the tee.

Connacht actually scored more tries but failed to add further scoreboard pressure. Their scores came through Bundee Aki, Shamus Hurley-Langton and Shayne Bolton. JJ Hanrahan and Jack Carty added a conversion each in a losing cause.

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Two minutes in, and Ulster were out of the blocks with an excellent multi-phase attack which resulted in Warwick diving over from close range and Cooney converting.

But Connacht tied things up on nine minutes when Bundee Aki smashed over from close range, Jack Carty then converting. Connacht thought they had another try shortly afterwards, but Bolton just could not get to the ball before it went dead from Mack Hansen’s chip.

Then, on 19 minutes, Ulster scored again, this time from a tap-and-go penalty following a period of intense pressure in Connacht’s 22 with Timoney driven over the line from close range. Cooney added a superb conversion from the touchline.

Neither side then managed any score in what remained of the opening half, allowing Ulster to maintain their 14-7 lead at half-time.

Ten minutes into the new half, Ulster increased their lead when Cooney slotted a penalty, putting the home side 10 points ahead at 17-7.

Just before the hour, a long pass to the edge found Hurley-Langton, who, with a lot to do, smashed past Rob Baloucoune and Addison, and though Hume’s despairing tackle was referred upstairs, the Connacht flanker was adjudged to have stayed in play. Carty was wide with his kick from the difficult angle.

Ulster responded with a 64th-minute penalty from Cooney which put the hosts 20-12 to the good.

With just over 10 minutes to go, Bolton made a break and slid over the Ulster line, Carty’s conversion cutting the home team’s lead to just one point.

That was how the Irish derby concluded as Timoney kicked the ball out following a scrum with time up.

Glasgow win the first leg of the 1872 Cup

Glasgow went into the derby depleted by the absence of several key men through injury, including Scotland internationals Matt Fagerson, Jack Dempsey, Jamie Dobie, Kyle Steyn and Ollie Smith, who is facing the prospect of a year on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Edinburgh coach Sean Everitt, by contrast, was able to name a strong line-up, which included Scotland scrum-half Ali Price as he returned to Scotstoun for the first time since making a surprise loan move along the M8 to Edinburgh last month.

Glasgow got the scoreboard ticking over in the seventh minute through a Ross Thompson penalty.

The hosts stretched their advantage with a superbly-worked try 10 minutes later as Rowe eased over on the left following a magnificent offload from Josh McKay. Thompson was wide with his conversion attempt.

Glasgow’s injury problems worsened just before the half-hour as Scotland hooker George Turner was forced off and replaced by Matthews, the URC’s top try-scorer.

Edinburgh got themselves back in the game in the 34th minute when veteran Nel pushed his way over from close range, with Ben Healy adding the extras.

Healy was off target with a penalty from the halfway line two minutes before the break, but the stand-off made no mistake with his next attempt from a much shorter distance in the 47th minute, edging the visitors two points ahead.

But the game swung back in Glasgow’s favour in the 65th minute when Edinburgh lock Gilchrist was sin-binned following a series of fouls from his team.

Warriors took full advantage within two minutes as hooker Matthews notched his ninth try of the season with a trademark finish from the back of a maul. George Horne converted.

Miller all-but secured victory for the hosts in the 74th minute with a brilliant run in from the left after being fed by McKay, and Horne again converted, ensuring Warriors take a 12-point lead to Murrayfield for the second leg of the 1872 Cup next Saturday.

READ MORE: ‘Stupid to refuse’ – Scotland star explains mid-season Top 14 switch

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