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May 05, 2007Glasgow Warriors 29 - 26 OspreysCeltic League match played at Hughenden on Friday May 4th 2007 | 11 comments
Dan Parks scored 24 points for Glasgow Flapping Ospreys were dealt a Magners League title jolt as the great Glasgow revival continued in an epic encounter at Hughenden. The Warriors looked down and out when they trailed by 10 points at the interval - but they produced a stunning fightback to clip the wings of the Welsh high-flyers. Ospreys could not have dreamed of a better start as they surged ahead after barely a minute's play. But the guts and determination of Glasgow shone through when it mattered most as they hit back to win the contest. On a sandy and parched surface, the hosts made a hash of clearing the danger from their own half and first to react was former All Blacks scrum-half Justin Marshall. Winger Shane Williams seemed to be covered by Hefin O'Hare, but somehow he squeezed past him. Although he was floored a couple of metres short of the line, Williams had sufficient momentum to reach the target. James Hook slotted the conversion from the widest possible angle to give his side a further confidence boost. Glasgow hit back in positive style, forcing the Welsh outfit to wander offside in their own 22-zone. Scotland outside half Dan Parks calmly banged over the tricky penalty to reduce the early leeway. Hook was soon back in the spotlight at the other end to restore the Ospreys' advantage with a crisply-struck effort from almost 40 metres. The penalty tit-for-tat continued as Williams was guilty of failing to release the ball in contact. It wasn't Parks' best ever kick - but it had just enough oomph to clear the crossbar from 35-metre range. Ospreys raced back into attack to carve out a second touchdown three minutes later and the Glasgow defence went missing as full-back Lee Byrne ambled round at least two markers before cruising over. There was disappointment for the visiting fans, however, when Hook was wide with the straightforward conversion bid. Ospreys were then reduced to 14 men, prop Adam Jones ordered to the sin-bin for killing the ball at a ruck in the shadow of the posts - leaving Parks to slot the simple kick. The visitors recaptured the momentum through a moment of slackness from Rory Lamont, who spilled the ball as he tried to tap it after making a safe mark. And Hook rediscovered his touch by thumping over a long-range penalty after lineout obstruction by former Ospreys lock Andy Newman. Then came one of Parks' moments of madness. Having pinned back the Ospreys for a string of phases, he fired out a crooked long pass. It bounced perfectly for speed king Williams, who was never going to be caught on his 80-metre sprint to glory. Hook's conversion crashed back off the woodwork before he left the fray for attention to a blood injury. Shaun Connor came off the bench to add another penalty, leaving the home brigade with a mountain to climb. And it was villain-turned-hero Parks who started the repair mission with a try in the wake of brilliant work by Graeme Beveridge. Parks followed up to make it a seven-pointer to keep his side in the hunt at the break. Then he stroked over another penalty for line-out offside to set up an exciting finale. Scotland winger Nikki Walker streaked clear, thinking he was heading for another Ospreys try - but referee George Clancy ruled the Glasgow defence had been obstructed in midfield. The Warriors capitalised on the let-off by setting up a second touchdown of their own from substitute centre Graeme Morrison - and Parks' wide-angled conversion squared the contest. And the roars of the home fans were even louder when Parks hammered over another penalty from the halfway line to clinch victory for Glasgow. You can see sone photos from the game here
Team Match Substitutions
Scorers
Gallery Comments
Posted by sunday5 on May 5, 2007 08:18 AM | Reply to this comment I was really proud to be a Warriors fan last night. This was the best I've seen the boys play. Well done Glasgow! Posted by gnasher on May 5, 2007 08:31 AM | Reply to this comment What a day to get stuck in Lochgilpead and not be able to get back in time for the match. Wel done everyone. Posted by Admin on May 5, 2007 08:46 AM | Reply to this comment wow. Posted by tim on May 5, 2007 09:25 AM | Reply to this comment Cracking result. Well done the team and equally importantly the team management for bringing the team so far forward this year. I look forward to the season starting as well next season as it finished this year. Posted by gonesouth on May 5, 2007 11:23 AM | Reply to this comment Highlights will be on Scrum V live, BBC 2 Wales at 17:30 on Sunday. Looking forward to Jonathon Davies eating his words. Posted by sunday5 on May 5, 2007 11:45 AM | Reply to this comment The game is repeated on Setanta Ireland this afternoon, not sure of the time but I watched it after I got back from the match last night (sad I know!) and it's worth the subscription just to hear the commentators! Posted by JIMBOj on May 5, 2007 11:52 AM | Reply to this comment Great show from the team.All the players were super ,super but especially the forwards.Great credit to the coaches Sean etc!!!.Yes the etc includes the forward coach not often mentioned Big Shade Munro who has been around Glasgow for many years At the death the forwards were immense denying Ospreys the ball.All the best to all those leaving to rugby and elsewhere like Andrew Wilson going back to uni after 6 years here Yes Pro Rugby is a up and down life Posted by Envy on May 5, 2007 07:38 PM | Reply to this comment Is that true about Andrew? Well I must admit that I was overjoyed with the result but that news has slightly took the shine off it. He will be missed and I think its a great shame that his work effort and potential wasn't recognised by Scotland. Posted by hannah on May 5, 2007 01:37 PM | Reply to this comment It was a fantastic game and I really enjoyed it. The weather made it great as well. The boys played fantastically and they totally deserved the win. It was a good send off for Bevvy, Scott, Rory and JP and to Andrew!!! Posted by hambo on May 5, 2007 02:38 PM | Reply to this comment Made life difficult for ourselves early on but the rest was just fantastic! Last 20 from the forwards was the best I've seen any pack play in a very long time, what was it ...50 phases?! Really great stuff!!! A huge congratulations to the players and coaches alike, looking forward to next season and continued progress after we nail the final match! Posted by sandyd on May 7, 2007 07:35 AM | Reply to this comment Right on the nose Hambo! A fantastic recovery in the second half from what looked an impossible position. Well done to all concerned especially big Shade and the pack. Here's to yet another victory at Munster and to next season, wherever we end up. Add a comment to this articleIf you're replying to an existing comment, please use the 'Reply to this comment' link above the entry. This will display the comments in a way which is far easier for other readers to follow.
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