BULLS FALL SHORT, AGAIN
The Bulls had the perfect season. Only losing once on home soil against Munster. Perhaps this was due to the fact that Head Coach Jake White opted for continuity.
In the first 37 seconds Glasgow immediately concedes a penalty through Number 8 Jack Dempsey for not releasing the player in the tackle. Johan Goosen makes no mistake off the kicking tee.
After 13 good phases of play, I really thought Glasgow would keep on playing and wait for the Bulls to make a mistake. Instead, number 13, Huw Jones put a little grubber through which allowed Kurt-Lee Arendse to put the ball safely into touch 10 metres from the halfway line. an opportunity wasted by the Warriors.
The first scrum. The Bulls get the throw-in and with Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw leading from the front, the Bulls absolutely overpowered the Warriors pack to get a penalty which Devon Williams puts safely into touch just outside the 22m of Glasgow.
With 14 minutes gone and the score frozen at 3 - 0 for the home side, Johan Goosen opts for a shot at goal after another penalty going the way of the Bulls. My personal opinion, 10m from the tryline< would have surely called for a lineout but it is a final and all the points matter.
Glasgow on the attack and a poor pass by Huw Jones sends Embrose Papier and Kurt-Lee Arendse racing after the ball only for Papier to knock the ball on. Oppurtunites wasted by both sides.
On-field decision, no try, after a good build-up from the Bulls only for Springbok prop, Wilco Louw t be denied a try. This after it was revealed that Glasgow number 7, Rory Darge had his hands underneath the ball. A magnificent piece of defence by the Warriors.
A clever little dab through from Harold Vorster put Josh McKay under enormous pressure which allowed Sergeal Petersen to get the turnover and force the penalty. great pressure from the Bulls. This time they get the try through Marco "Eskom" van Staden who bursts through the Glasgow defence to go over.
Finally, after a brave effort by Glasgow, they finally get their try through number 4 Scott Cummings. What a way to end a roller coaster first half for both teams.
With the clock on 53 minutes, Glasgow power their way over from a maul through replacement hooker George Turner. This try surely paved the way for them with the score at 16 - 14. Some great interplay between Kyle Steyn and Huw Jones allowed Glasgow to snatch the game from the Bulls and eventually winning it by 21 - 16.
I must admit, as a hardened Bulls supporter, I was utterly devastated. To watch your team do so well during the season only to miss out on yet another title, in front of your home fans, was heartbreaking, to say the least.
on the other hand, credit must be given to Franco Smith and his coaching staff for the way they have turned this Glasgow team around. In the end, thry absolutely deserved this win more than anyone.
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