Calvin Howarth put in a record-breaking performance

With the match still in the balance, the former Scotland winger finished off a sparkling move by diving over in the corner.

Despite international call-ups reducing this to something approaching a club game, it was end-to-end stuff with both sides playing some very decent rugby and several second-string players using the opportunity to make a name for themselves.

Glasgow’s Calvin Howarth made a fine early break in midfield, putting pressure on the visiting defence and eventually forcing them offside. Howarth was happy to kick the penalty and he did much the same again less than five minutes later, Borders again infringing as they tried to slow down a break from the Glasgow stand-off.

The Borders hardly touched the ball for the first ten minutes, but when they did they swept upfield, won a penalty of their own and took the lineout in the corner option. The catch and drive worked neatly, driving Steve Scott over for the try.

Although Glasgow could not find a try, their lead from two more Howarth penalties was a fair reflection of the game. Charlie Hore got one penalty back for the Borders. At the other end, an over-the-top pass to Logan left the captain for the night just too much to do, leaving the half-time score 12-8.

After the restart, Sam Pinder squeezed into the corner, but the arrival of Wayne McEntee on the Borders flank moments later stiffened the Borders attack to such an extent that they were able to reply with a fine converted try out wide from Iain Berthinussen, some slick long passes outflanking the defence.

With just two points in it and 20 minutes left, Howarth chose that moment to lose his 100 per cent penalty record, missing a medium-range chance. But he made amends a few minutes later when McEntee was yellow-carded for a high tackle. Glasgow tightened their grip and a terrific break from full-back Rory Lamont, taken on by Andrew Wilson, brought a huge overlap on the left which Logan gratefully accepted.

Although a massive conversion from Howarth looked to open up a real gap, Borders stung back quickly. A fumble from the kick-off led to a scrum and Mark Blair charged over on the blind side to keep his side in the hunt. But when Steve Scott was also yellow-carded with five minutes to go, and Howarth landed his seventh penalty of the night, it was all over bar a further penalty for Howarth.

Report from The Scotsman