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March 30, 2008

Dragons 14 - 20 Glasgow Warriors

Celtic League match played at Rodney Parade on Sunday March 30th 2008 | 12 comments

A Thom Evans double helped Glasgow to a valuable away win
Two tries from Thom Evans was enough to secure Glasgow victory over the Dragons at Rodney Parade.

Evans' first-half try was a team effort, but his crucial second-half score came from the individual skill of Dan Parks.

The fly-half's pin-point cross-kick sent Evans over to ensure victory.

Glasgow took the game to the Dragons from the outset with half-backs Sam Pinder and Dan Parks setting their backs free at every opportunity.

The approach brought the best out of sibling wings Thom and Max Evans, the former claiming the first try after 19 minutes following some excellent inter-lay between forwards and backs.

Parks' conversion was soon followed by his penalty after referee Alain Roland told Dragons skipper Colin Charvis to warn his players about a series of offences, including tripping.

Dragons fly-half Aled Thomas provided some nice touches, but was also guilty of poor defence in the opening quarter.

The Welsh region also struggled to make the most of their chances despite the attacking talent at their disposal.

However, that all changed after Thomas kicked two penalties. The scores gave Paul Turner's side some confidence and they began to attack with more purpose.

Centre Rhodri Gomer-Davies drew two defenders to create the space for Kevin Morgan and Gareth Wyatt to combine in a manner with which their followers from the days in which they starred for Pontypridd would be familiar.

Morgan's final pass set Wyatt free down the right and the wing was too quick for the cover defence.

Thomas was unable to convert the 31st-minute try, but added a penalty to send his side into the break 14-10 ahead.

Parks closed the gap 15 minutes in the second period after prop Rhys Thomas was caught offside, but the visitors were soon back in trouble.

Dragons flanker Joe Bearman's speculative punt was harmless until full-back Bernardo Stortoni knocked on, but the hosts blew the opportunity amid more indiscipline.

At the other end Parks' long pass to unmarked Stortoni was judged forward as Glasgow sought to get back into the lead.

When they did so it was spectacular as Parks' cross-kick from one touchline found Thom Evans a few feet from the other and the wing went over unopposed for his second try.

Parks converted, but failed with a drop-goal attempt after 70 minutes to leave the outcome finely balanced.

Paul Emerick cut replacement Hefin O'Hare down before snaffling possession at the subsequent ruck to help the Dragons find themselves in Glasgow's 22.

That was the start of a desperate late assault from the hosts and despite the best efforts of the likes of replacements Martyn Thomas and Michael Owen the Dragons could not break free while Glasgow defended superbly.

Glasgow coach Sean Lineen said with a smile: "It wasn't pretty but we'll take the win.

"We're delighted because that's our first away win of the season and we must keep that going.

"Our local derby versus Edinburgh is our next fixture, they beat us over Christmas in the last minute and we're looking to redeem ourselves after that defeat."

Referee Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Attendance 4,500
Man of the Match Dan Parks
Team
1
Justin Va'a
2
Dougie Hall
3
Moray Low
4
Opeta Palepoi
5
Dan Turner
6
Kelly Brown
7
John Barclay
8
John Beattie
9
Sam Pinder
10
Dan Parks
11
Thom Evans
12
Daryl Gibson
13
Graeme Morrison
14
Max Evans
15
Bernardo Stortoni
Sub
Fergus Thomson
Sub
Ed Kalman
Sub
James Eddie
Sub
Donnie Macfadyen
Sub
Colin Gregor
Sub
Scott Barrow
Sub
Hefin O'Hare
Match Substitutions
Off On
Justin Va'a Ed Kalman
Off On
Dougie Hall Fergus Thomson
Off On
Daryl Gibson Scott Barrow
Off On
Max Evans Hefin O'Hare
Off On
Sam Pinder Colin Gregor
Off On
Opeta Palepoi James Eddie
Scorers
Thom Evans Try 
Dan Parks Conversion
Dan Parks Penalty
Dan Parks Penalty
Thom Evans Try 
Dan Parks Conversion
Gallery
    Comments
    Posted by way ahead on March 30, 2008 06:25 PM | Reply to this comment

    fantastic result!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by teamfruit on March 30, 2008 06:26 PM | Reply to this comment

    Can someone tell me who scored the tries? As the BBC says that Max scored them and here says that Thom scored them, anyone?

    Posted by Gordon on March 30, 2008 06:35 PM | Reply to this comment

    It was definitely Thom Evans - announcer at Rodney Parade and commentators got it wrong.

    Posted by teamfruit on March 30, 2008 06:42 PM | Reply to this comment

    Cheers Gordon Curiosity satisfied

    Posted by bossco85 on March 30, 2008 07:19 PM | Reply to this comment

    Fantastic result!
    roll on Edinburgh now! This feels like the turning point for this half of the season! Great to see parksy getting back to the way he can play!
    Totally stunning!

    Posted by gnasher on March 30, 2008 09:24 PM | Reply to this comment

    Well done Dan, not a faultless performance but given the stick he has had recently definitely worth the man of the match award. His half break stretched the defence for the first try and the pin point cross key made the second and then he kicjked all his goals. Not a bad afternoon.

    Posted by mediumsizedal on March 30, 2008 09:34 PM | Reply to this comment

    Excellent win-let's hope this can increase confidence for the remainder of the season.

    Posted by alsfan on March 30, 2008 10:08 PM | Reply to this comment

    From the Herald:
    "The Evans brothers Thom and Max combined superbly to help earn Glasgow Warriors a hard-earned win in Wales - their first away victory of the Magners League campaign.
    Two-try hero Thom Evans hoped the performance of his brother and himself is a sign of things to come."
    Get them in there Uncle Frank! The next brothers to play together for Scotland.

    Posted by Lancashire Lad on March 30, 2008 11:05 PM | Reply to this comment

    Well done to the Glasgow men, and good on you Parksy. You pulled out a big one after all the unfair criticism you've copped. Shows you're a champ through, and through.

    Posted by gailfoster on March 31, 2008 08:58 AM | Reply to this comment

    Definately well done to the guys - sounds as though there was some interesting tactics being used against them! Well done Dan as well for being able to rise above some of the unfair comments from press and public. Looking forward to the next home match.

    Posted by Big Blue on March 31, 2008 12:03 PM | Reply to this comment

    I've had worse sporting weekends.

    Posted by on | Reply to this comment

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