It was a first victory for Franco Smith on Friday night after his Warriors ran in four tries to cinch a 22-17 win over Ayrshire Bulls. By no means was this an easy night for the Scotstoun men away from their usual stomping grounds.
Sione Vailanu, George Horne, Fraser Brown and Jack Dempsey dotted down over the line against a very impressive Bulls side who played an exceptional brand of rugby despite only having 72 hours to prepare.
Over 3,000 fans made the trip to the Caledonian Stadium in Inverness to see the new look Warriors in their first preseason clash. The Warriors came out strong from kick off. A beautiful cross field kick from Domingo Miotti to Walter Fifita sent the Tongan flying into space as former Millbrae men Stafford McDowall and Tom Jordan showed their dynamic partnership.
The Bulls travelled north with every intention of putting on a show themselves. Standout players Jamie Shedden and Lee McNamara made themselves known to the crowd with their impressive counterattack, whilst Jordan Lenac piloted his team from scrum-half.
The opening quarter was fast and furious in the best way, with Smith’s men nearly converting an attacking lineout into points. Glasgow’s strong maul saw Johnny Matthews release George Horne and Miotti, before once again Fifita was sent tumbling towards the line. Bulls’ outstanding defensive effort saw them squeezing the Tongan into touch and that was the end of that attack.
The Bulls couldn’t stop all the Tongan attackers though and by the 29th minute, after successive penalties, the pressure was too much. Sione Vailanu was sent over the line for the opening try of the game after an unstoppable maul. Miotti’s kick drifted wide.
It only took another 5 minutes for the Ayrshire men to get on the scoreboard. Flyhalf Richie Simpson’s penalty kick soared through the uprights and Bulls were on the board.
However, it didn’t take Glasgow long to strike back. Cole Forbes cut through the defence right up to the Bulls’ 22. A quick offload to Horne sent the scrum-half diving over under the posts. This time Miotti got the extras to end the half.
Half-time: Glasgow Warriors 12-3 Ayrshire Bulls
Both sides made many changes at half-time which gave both teams a fresh start to the second half. Straight away Warriors were on the offensive and their efforts were rewarded as they got their third try of the night. Replacement fly-half Joel Hodgson kicked a penalty to the corner, once again the lineout maul was unstoppable. Fraser Brown’s throw found JP du Preez, before Brown himself went over for the try. The conversion went wide but Warriors now had a 14-point lead after 45 minutes.
It was almost back-to-back tries for Smith’s men, as Horne turned the ball over on his own 5-metre line which brought a counterattack involving both wingers Forbes and Fifita to life. Simpson’s quick reactions stopped Warriors’ fourth try as both coaches continued to empty the benches with one eye on the impending season.
It was one of those Glasgow replacements who would get the next score. A line break just before the hour mark from Stafford McDowall brought his team in close and Jack Dempsey was on his shoulder to pick up the ball and dot down over the whitewash. Once again, the conversion drifted wide.
The Bulls refused to go down without a fight and their efforts were rewarded with a well-earned score in the closing stages of the match. Will Hunt came on for the Bulls – although he was named on the Glasgow bench. Hunt steered the visitors to the corner from a penalty and this time it was the Bulls’ maul that was unstoppable, Glasgow academy hooker Jamie Drummond touching down. Hunt converted and the 3000 fans who made the trip offered full-throated praise for Ayrshire’s efforts.
With 90 seconds left on the clock you would’ve thought the game was done, but the Bulls had other ideas. Hunt himself crashed over the whitewash, the young standoff raced over after spotting a gap in the Glasgow defence 10 metres from the Glasgow line before converting his own try bringing the scores to 22-17 at the final whistle.
If it had been the Premiership side Worcester Warriors in opposition I would be saying fair play to Glasgow, good first performance out – but as it stands it’s hats off to Ayrshire Bulls. With 72 hours’ notice, to bring the score to within 5 in the dying moments of the game is incredible. Throughout the whole game, the Bulls kept Warriors on their toes, and it was an outstanding sight, proof that Scottish grassroots rugby is on the up. There’s still work to be done in the Glasgow camp, but Smith’s philosophy is starting to come through.
Next up Ulster back at Scotstoun on Friday. Come on Warriors!
