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January 09, 2009

Glasgow Warriors 20 - 25 Newport Gwent Dragons

RaboDirect PRO12 match played at Firhill on Friday January 9th 2009 | 3 comments

Thom crossed the line for the Warriors
Glasgow Warriors were beaten for the fifth time in a row at Firhill by Newport Gwent Dragons.

Glasgow's sole touchdown came courtesy of Thom Evans, while Dan Parks matched Arlidge's contribution with the boot.

Fourth before kick-off, Glasgow had won three of their previous four Magners League games, while the Dragons had lost three of their last four.

The Warriors had also lost only once at Firhill in the Magners League in the past year, while the visitors had tasted victory only once on their travels in the same period.

It was a matter of seconds before they were behind, a fumble from Dan Parks' kick-off eventually punished with a penalty in front of the posts.

Glasgow lost lock Opeta Palepoi to a suspected dislocated finger, with Dan Turner introduced for his 100th Warriors appearance.

The Dragons were forced to withdraw Shaun Connor for Arlidge, whose penalty deservedly drew the visitors level 13 minutes in.

Glasgow woke up and piled on the pressure inside their opponents' 22. They were rewarded with a penalty out wide but Parks failed to convert.

Midway through the half, Palepoi returned and the Warriors almost immediately scored in the corner after John Barclay and Sam Pinder had broken clear.

But moments later, Bernie Stortoni's suicide pass was intercepted by Arlidge, who raced 60 metres to score a try he converted from under the posts.

Glasgow were losing their discipline and were let off when Arlidge missed a 45-metre penalty.

It was then the Dragons' turn to blunder. A fumbled pass was punted ahead by Graeme Morrison and Thom Evans won the foot race to score. Dan Parks hit the post with another tough touchline conversion.

The Dragons regained their seven-point advantage shortly before the interval, a deft Jason Tovey chip releasing Fussell and Sidney for the latter to score. Arlidge failed to convert.

Dan Parks then booted a 40-metre penalty on the stroke of half-time to make it 15-11 to the visitors.

Glasgow withdrew Bernie Stortoni for Ruaridh Jackson after the break but he failed to ignite the opening 10 minutes of the half.

And when a score came, it went to the Dragons, Fussell crossing following a suspiciously forward-looking pass.

Arlidge converted to put daylight between the teams but another monster Parksy penalty made it 22-14.

Glasgow were suddenly rampant but had to settle for a Parksy drop-goal midway through the half to cut the deficit further.

Arlidge kept the Dragons at arm's length with another penalty, which Dan Parks immediately cancelled out with his own latest 40-metre strike.

With the Dragons lead just five points going into the final 10 minutes, it was still anyone's game.

Deep into injury-time Glasgow got to within inches of a dramatic try but magnificent defence saw the Dragons deservedly hold on.

Referee John Lacey (IRFU)
Attendance 2,217
Man of the Match John Barclay
Team
1
Justin Va'a
2
Fergus Thomson
3
Moray Low
4
Opeta Palepoi
5
Alastair Kellock
6
James Eddie
7
John Barclay
8
Kelly Brown
9
Sam Pinder
10
Dan Parks
11
Thom Evans
12
Graeme Morrison
13
Max Evans
14
Hefin O'Hare
15
Bernardo Stortoni
Sub
Dougie Hall
Sub
Kevin Tkachuk
Sub
Dan Turner
Sub
Richie Vernon
Sub
Colin Gregor
Sub
Andrew Henderson
Sub
Ruaridh Jackson
Match Substitutions
Off On
Opeta Palepoi Dan Turner
Off On
Fergus Thomson Dougie Hall
Off On
Justin Va'a Kevin Tkachuk
Off On
James Eddie Richie Vernon
Off On
Sam Pinder Colin Gregor
Off On
Bernardo Stortoni Ruaridh Jackson
Scorers
Dan Parks Penalty
Thom Evans Try 
Dan Parks Penalty
Dan Parks Penalty
Dan Parks Penalty
Dan Parks Drop
Posted by Hugues on January 10, 2009 02:37 AM | Reply to this comment

Attendance: 2,217

Posted by Phall on January 10, 2009 10:11 AM | Reply to this comment

Hi Hugues, where did you get the attendance? I have had a look at a couple of sites and couldn't find it.

Posted by Hugues on January 12, 2009 05:13 PM | Reply to this comment

Hi Phall,

The Scotsman

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