FORMER Scotland coach Matt Williams saw his Ulster side lose their 100 per cent record under his guidance, but the Australian took great delight in watching a match-winning performance by Glasgow stand-off Dan Parks.
Williams gave Parks his international break in his first match in charge of Scotland against Wales in 2004 and stood by his call-up despite a terrible run of form for both player and team.
However, he believes his show of faith is beginning to b
ear fruit. "Parksy controlled the game and it was really enjoyable seeing how far he has come in the past five years," said Williams. "I got ten bells of trouble for picking him when I was in Scotland."
Although Williams was impressed by Parks, he did not feel Glasgow were good value for a fourth consecutive win that moves them up to fifth in the Magners League table.
"Full credit to Glasgow, their catch-and-go off the kicks was very good, but really they did nothing with ball in hand and we did everything," added Williams. "In all honesty, I believed we were the better side. We played great rugby and let in too many soft tries."
Yet Glasgow can take encouragement from consecutive away victories. Before this streak they had only won once in ten away games, and that was against Italian minnows Viadana.
Head coach Sean Lineen said after the game: "A bonus point win was beyond expectations when we came here. A win would have been fine. We won here last year too. I thought some of the tries were outstanding but we had to work very hard to get the four tries."
Lineen put Glasgow's recent upturn in away form down to a change of mentality. "It is an attitude thing," said the coach. "The boys have taken a long hard look at themselves and I've had a look at myself.
"We need to start making sure that we get a lot of respect. We are learning all the time. but it's about consistency and depth in the squad. The quality is getting better but it's the consistency that is important and we need to make sure we win these close games all the time."
Glasgow made a superb start to the match, opening up a ten-point lead in as many minutes helped mainly by a try from winger Lome Fa'atau, after beautiful off-the- top lineout ball was smartly chipped by full-back Bernardo Stortoni, caught by centre Max Evans then fed to the galloping Samoan to charge home. Parks added the conversion and a penalty.
Ulster hit back with two scores of their own, as Isaac Boss and Roger Wilson both burrowed over from close range after concerted pressure.
Glasgow scored next after a wonderful clean outside break by Graeme Morrison broke the Ulster line. Morrison played well all afternoon, proving a handful for the defence and coming out on top in his battle with his opposite number Rob Dewey, both contenders for the Scotland No 12 shirt. His well-weighted pass found Johnny Beattie without the No 8 having to break stride and he duly touched down despite Tommy Bowes's tackle.
The start of the second half saw Glasgow add to their lead through a scorching break by Max Evans which shredded the home defence before Simon Danielli and Tommy Bowe replied with tries.
Now Glasgow were two points down with 15 minutes to go. Parks, however, grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, scoring a penalty then providing a classy chip, regather and pass to put Thom Evans in for a try. The much- maligned Scotland stand-off then completed the scoring with a third successful penalty attempt.
Glasgow now face Munster at Musgrave Park in Cork on Saturday in their last game of the season.
Scorers: Ulster: Tries: Boss, Wilson, Danielli, Bowe. Cons: Wallace 2. Glasgow: Tries: Fa'atau, Beattie, MEvans, T Evans. Cons: Parks 3. Pens: Parks 3.
Ulster: M Bartholomeusz; T Bowe, A Trimble, R Dewey, S Danielli; P Wallace, I Boss; J Fitzpatrick, R Best (capt), TCourt, J Harrison, C del Fava, M McCullough, N Best, RWilson. Subs used: N Brady, B Young, R Caldwell, KDawson, K Campbell, N O'Connor, M McCrea.
Glasgow: B Stortoni; L Fa'atau, M Evans, G Morrison, TEvans; D Parks (capt), C Gregor; J Va'a, D Hall, M Low, OPalepoi, D Turner, K Brown, J Barclay, J Beattie. Subs used: E Milligan, A Newman, K Tkachuk, S Barrow.
Attendance: 6,592. Referee: T Hayes (WRU).
Club men turn pro GLASGOW have promoted three young club stars to the pro stage: flanker Calum Forrester (GHA), stand-off Ruaridh Jackson (Hawks) and prop John Welsh (GHA). The trio have clinched two-year deals.
Glasgow coach Sean Lineen said: "Calum has been working with us for a while now and I've been very impressed with his attitude and ability. This shows there are players in the club game that can come through to the pro level."
The full article contains 841 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
