| OSPREYS 20 – 5 WARRIORS |
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| Friday, 14 May 2010 | |
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Glasgow’s 2009/10 season came to an end this evening with a 20-5 loss to the Ospreys in the inaugural Magners League Play-Offs. The bruising encounter saw the hosts run in two tries to Glasgow’s one, which was scored by hooker Fergus Thomson, in front of an incredible away support. After the game, head coach Sean Lineen, said: “We didn’t get the rub of the green anywhere. But in saying that, we didn’t deserve to win the game in the end. “The Ospreys played with incredible physicality as a team and are masters at playing the man and not the ball. “But I’m really proud of the players and the huge effort they have put in this season. They’ve given absolutely everything.” The first half opened with the Ospreys showing their intent to inflict damage both on the scoreboard and in terms of physicality. The initial phases of play saw the home side opting to take scrum and quick-tap penalties instead of establishing a lead early on. But despite their intended dominance, Glasgow’s defence remained solid and frustration crept into the Ospreys’ play as they sliced a drop-goal attempt. With such big hits going in from both sides, the ball often became dislodged and the first to react in loose play often got the most significant breaks. Glasgow almost took the early advantage when a loose ball was punted upfield. The chase from DTH van der Merwe resulted in the Canadian international bundling Shane Williams into touch. Kelly Brown received the ball from the back of the line-out but couldn’t release the ball to Graeme Morrison who was steaming through in support. The Warriors almost made it out of the crucial first ten minutes unscathed when Williams crossed the line. Fergus Thomson took the ball into contact and spilled the ball forward. It was duly scooped up and popped to the Welsh winger who slipped through tackle from Mark McMillan. Williams skipped up the left flank and made contact with the touchline, but unspotted by the referee and touch judge, Williams continued to the line. Dan Biggar converted. 7-0. Dan Parks’ kicking had played a major factor in getting Glasgow to the Play-Offs, but his “Golden Gilberts” weren’t quite on target this evening. His first attempt at goal, in the 12th minute, was taken from inside his own half and crept under the posts as it dropped short of the uprights. Another penalty attempt stopped short just before the half-time interval. A moment which came just at the right time for Glasgow to regroup and assess the impact they could have in the second period. Half-time score: Ospreys 7 – 0 Warriors The Warriors came out of the blocks well in the second half as they pinched the ball from a wayward Ospreys line-out. McMillan pounced on the ball and offloaded to Thomson who slid in at the corner. Parks missed the conversion. 7-5. Six minutes later, a Dan Biggar penalty preceded a try from James Hook. A neat angle from the British Lion saw him curve round his opposite man and chip over the head of Parks. Biggar converted. 14-5. The Ospreys went onto register two penalties to seal the victory. 20-5. Magners Man of the Match: Shane Williams (Ospreys) Ospreys: Lee Byrne; Tommy Bowe, Andrew Bishop, James Hook, Shane Williams; Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Jerry Collins, Marty Holah, Ryan Jones CAPTAIN Glasgow Warriors: Bernardo Stortoni; Rob Dewey, Max Evans, Graeme Morrison, DTH van der Merwe; Dan Parks, Mark McMillan; Ed Kalman, Fergus Thomson, Moray Low, Tim Barker, Alastair Kellock, Kelly Brown, John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie * = Member of Scottish Rugby’s National Academy |
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