Glasgow 26 - 21 Bath: Richie Gray makes most of an unexpected twist in plot

By David Ferguson at Firhill Stadium
Published on Monday 14 November 2011 02:32

AFTER a turbulent week for the young lock, Richie Gray emerged as Glasgow’s match-winner by scoring a stunningly bizarre try with the last act of this game to cap an historic weekend for Scottish rugby.

The 22-year-old, who announced last week that he had agreed a move to Sale next summer, was first to the bouncing ball in the last seconds after Duncan Weir’s attempted drop-goal was deflected and then bounced backwards over the head of Bath full-back Nick Abendanon ten metres from the posts.

Gray’s nearest challenger was the equally impressive Warriors flanker Rob Harley, but the 6ft 9in second row’s reach claimed the ball and he was then driven over the line as his and Harley’s force combined with that of despairing Bath tacklers.

French referee Christophe Berdos went to the television match official, which only delayed confirmation of what everyone in Firhill knew, but Gray’s leap of delight when the whistle sounded sent the 4,000-plus support delirious.

They had been kept on the edge of their seats throughout the final quarter, as the lead changed hands five times from the point where Bath had overhauled the Warriors’ first try by Stuart Hogg.

Bath’s new signing, World Cup winner Stephen Donald, came off the bench and slotted a penalty with just one minute and 20 seconds left on the clock, and that seemed to be the game.

However, Harley superbly reclaimed the restart – Duncan Weir cleverly sending a high ball up the middle – the team kept possession through several phases and though the ploy was for Weir to drop-kick the winning points, and the stand-off was convinced his effort was sailing through until it was deflected by a Bath arm, the actual method of scoring only added drama.

Though they were beaten two tries to nil in the finish, Bath were the better side for long spells and it was Glasgow’s defence that kept Scottish hopes alive.

Bath had lost 6ft 7in centre Matt Banahan to a thigh pull in the warm-up, which forced Sam Vesty off the bench and into the midfield and Jack Cuthbert on to the bench, but the hosts did not have long to wait to feel the force of the Bath attack.

Chris Cusiter’s first box-kick from the restart was charged down by his opposite number, Michael Claassens, and Tom Heathcote put the visitors 3-0 up within two minutes. Weir responded immediately, converting a penalty from the next restart, but it was the English side that made the early running with their pack guzzling possession and the back three of Nick Abendanon, Olly Woodburn and Tom Biggs prominent in slick attacks from touchline to touchline.

Dan Hipkiss and Ran Caldwell were denied only by fine tackles from Tommy Seymour and Stuart Hogg.

Glasgow’s first real sortie came in the 13th minute when the forwards forced a turnover on the left-hand side of their own 22, and Cusiter and John Barclay moved the ball wide. Good passing out of the 22 released Seymour, but the winger’s chip as he crossed halfway did not ask enough of the Bath defence.

Heathcote converted a second penalty as the Bath scrum dominated, but good work by No 8 Ryan Wilson, combining well with Cusiter, relieved pressure. Although Weir fell short with a penalty from inside his own half, the Warriors were beginning to find their feet.

Gray added to fine lineout work with big hits in midfield, and after good scrum and lineout work Glasgow enjoyed a spell attacking the Bath 22. Kellock, John Barclay, Pat McArthur and Michael Cusack ran hard and direct, eventually producing a penalty which Weir kicked to level the scores.

The hosts’ spirits were rising and, led well by Ryan Grant, Cusiter, Kellock and Wilson, they finished the half on top, rewarded by another Weir penalty that edged them 9-6 ahead at the break.

Another indication that Glasgow were back in the game came from a stupid off-the-ball charge by Ryan Caldwell, the Bath lock, on Grant, with play stopped, for which he was fortunate to remain on the field.

The second half started much like the first with Bath dominating possession and two early penalty chances, only Weir missed the first and Heathcote converted to level at 9-9 four minutes in.

Glasgow’s defence continued to lift home hopes: Hogg superbly following up a kick and messing up Bath ball at a ruck; McArthur halting Caldwell; the outstanding Harley – who took over as skipper when Kellock was later substituted – stopping Taylor as Bath struggled to get their ball-carriers moving, and Rob Dewey forcing a turnover with a fine tackle.

The referee provoked the ire of the home support by handing Bath a penalty with which Heathcote levelled the game, but just when Glasgow’s attack seemed to be lacking inspiration, a first try emerged on the hour.

Glasgow won a penalty inside their own half, Weir found touch on the Bath 22, and Gray claimed the ball and released John Barclay, who fed Graeme Morrison.

Substitute Troy Nathan fizzed into contact and managed to slip a pass to Hogg, and the full-back sprinted through a barndoor-sized gap for a simple score. Weir converted to open up a four-point lead.

It lasted only two minutes, as the deadly accurate Heathcote converted two more penalties to put Bath in front 18-16.

Hogg injected life to Glasgow’s attack with bristling runs, and, varying the attack more, Cusiter and Weir made fine breaks which led to a ruck penalty Weir turned into a 19-18 lead with six minutes to go.

The Bath pack took on the home eight with a driven lineout, but the Warriors held firm, forced a turnover and seemed to be winding down the clock when Berdos, on advice from his assistant, signalled a Bath penalty at the latest of many collapsed scrums.

Donald struck it perfectly to put Bath 21-19 up with less than two minutes remaining, and must have believed he had become the match-winner on his Bath debut. But a combination of never-say-die spirit and astute tactical play created a dramatic turnaround that capped a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.

Scorers: Glasgow: Tries – Hogg, Gray; Pens – Weir 4; Cons – Weir 2. Bath: Pens – Heathcote 6, Donald.

Glasgow: S Hogg; T Seymour, R Dewey, G Morrison, C Shaw; D Weir, C Cusiter; R Grant, P MacArthur, M Cusack, R Gray, A Kellock (capt), R Harley, J Barclay, R Wilson.

Subs: D Hall for McArthur, T Ryder for Kellock, T Nathan for Dewey, all 56mins, F Aramburu for Seymour, E Kalman for Cusack, both 63, C Fusaro for Barclay 65.

Bath: N Abendanon; O Woodburn, D Hipkiss, S Vesty, T Biggs; T Heathcote, M Claassens; D Flatman, R Batty, D Wilson, S Hooper (capt), R Caldwell, F Louw, G Mercer, S Taylor.

Subs: C Beech for Flatman, A Perenise for Wilson, D Attwood for Caldwell, all 65mins, S Donald for Heathcote 69, M McMillan for Claassens 74.

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