Ulster battled back to draw 25-25 with Glasgow to claim a crucial away point at Hughenden. The 6000 home fans had been celebrating as they watched their heroes pile up a 16-point lead, thanks mainly to a two-try burst from Gordon Simpson.
But the Irishmen rallied in the dramatic closing stages to bag a share of the spoils. Glasgow broke the deadlock after just two minutes when Tommy Hayes slotted a penalty, only for Test stand-off Jon Humphreys to reply in identical fashion almost immediately. Simpson's opener came in the 20th minute as he ploughed over after skippper Andy Nicol was held up on the line.
Humphreys kept Ulster in the picture with another penalty but Simpson claimed his second score, converted by Hayes. Glasgow kept up their momentum and Nicol made up for his earlier near-miss by grabbing the third try. James McLaren sparked panic among the Ulster backs and the scrum-half finished in style after latching onto a beautifully delivered pop-pass by Jon Petrie.
Hayes again slotted the extra points to give his side a 16-point cushion going into the final stages. Ulster were far from dead, however, and they stunned the home troops with quickfire touchdowns by subs Russell Nelson and Ryan Constable - one of which was goaled by Paddy Wallace. A long-range McLaren penalty earned Glasgow some more breathing space, but the contest was squared when Humphreys converted Wallace's late try from the touchline.
Filed by Neill Reilly
