Glasgow Warriors | Glasgow Warriors v Llanelli Scarlets
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April 23, 2011

Glasgow Warriors 29 - 37 Llanelli Scarlets

GUINNESS PRO12 match played at Firhill on Friday April 22nd 2011 | 8 comments

Tom Ryder scored his first try for Glasgow
Glasgow Warriors played their last home game of the season but couldn't give their supporters a winning send-off to what has been a disappointing campaign.

DTH van der Merwe touched down twice and Tom Ryder once for the hosts, while Ruaridh Jackson kicked 14 points, but they fell short.

Both Glasgow wingers looked lively in the opening exchanges, and a break from Hefin O'Hare down the right-hand touchline led to the game's first score, Jackson knocking over a penalty after the Scarlets were adjudged to be offside at the ensuing breakdown.

The Warriors were looking to atone for the defeat to Treviso last weekend and Jackson was soon on the scoreboard again, his eighth-minute penalty following another infringement at the ruck giving the hosts a 6-0 advantage.

The visitors took the lead in the 15th minute from their first real attack.

Centre Maule bounced off an attempted tackle from van der Merwe before feeding Stoddart, who dived over for a score converted by Jones.

The lead was shortlived, though, as van der Merwe made up for his earlier mistake by crossing for a score. The Canadian made ground after a strong break from midfield and linked up with O'Hare before taking the return pass and squeezing over despite the best efforts of the covering Scarlets defence.

Jones pushed a penalty attempt wide shortly after, before the game really sparked into life.

A scuffle between Cusiter and Scarlets lock Lou Reed developed into a melee involving players from both sides, with Cusiter and opposing captain Matthew Reed getting embroiled in a wrestling match.

Matthew Reed was sent to the sin-bin for his part, but Jackson was unable to convert the penalty that followed.

The Warriors were made to pay for their profligacy, Jackson failing with a further penalty attempt, as Scarlets claimed a second score on the stroke of half-time.

With decoy runners and blockers causing havoc in the home defence, the Scarlets developed an overlap which Stoddart expertly exploited, bursting through the final tackle to crash over.

Jones failed with the conversion attempt.

The second half began in ideal fashion for the hosts, Van der Merwe capitalising on a turnover in midfield and some strong running from the impressive James Eddie to go over in the corner, evading a last-ditch tackle from the covering Stoddart.

A brief pause allowed referee Carlo Damasco to confirm with the video official van der Merwe had indeed grounded the ball, Jackson putting over the tight touchline conversion.

The sides were soon level again, though, as two Jones penalties cancelled out the Warriors' advantage, the latter resulting from a cynical trip from Moray Low which saw the Scotland prop yellow-carded.

Glasgow soon edged in front once again courtesy of a Jackson penalty, but a strong forward drive from the Scarlets only moments later allowed number eight Morgan to batter his way over the line as the lead to changed hands once again.

With their full compliment restored thanks to Low's return, the home side were able to reassert themselves at the breakdown to great effect, the Scarlets conceding a penalty in midfield which Jackson duly sent over.

But the visitors again came back, regaining their own kick-off and sparking a forward rumble which culminated in Reed bundling over from close range, Jones converting.

Scrum-half Knoyle then touched down late on for a converted score to give the Scarlets some breathing space.

Ryder's try gave the hosts' hope, but it was swiftly extinguished as replacement fly-half Duncan Weir pushed his conversion attempt wide to end any thoughts of a late comeback.

After the final whistle, head coach Sean Lineen said: “It was a cracking game with some fantastic tries from both sides.

“Chris Cusiter was outstanding, Graeme Morrison rallied the troops well and DTH van der Merwe was on fire.

“The game just about summed up our season but I though we competed well. There is just some more work we need to do I the off season to continue our improvement.”

Referee Carlo Damasco (Italy)
Attendance 3,873
Man of the Match Bernardo Stortoni
Team
1
Kevin Tkachuk
2
Dougie Hall
3
Moray Low
4
Aly Muldowney
5
Tom Ryder
6
James Eddie
7
Richie Vernon
8
John Beattie
9
Chris Cusiter
10
Ruaridh Jackson
11
DTH van der Merwe
12
Graeme Morrison
13
Peter Murchie
14
Hefin O'Hare
15
Bernardo Stortoni
Sub
Fergus Thomson
Sub
Jon Welsh
Sub
Ryan Grant
Sub
Robert Harley
Sub
Ryan Wilson
Sub
Colin Gregor
Sub
Duncan Weir
Sub
Federico Aramburu
Match Substitutions
Off On
Dougie Hall Fergus Thomson
Off On
Kevin Tkachuk Ryan Grant
Off On
Aly Muldowney Robert Harley
Off On
James Eddie Ryan Wilson
Off On
Chris Cusiter Colin Gregor
Off On
Ruaridh Jackson Duncan Weir
Off On
Peter Murchie Federico Aramburu
Off On
Moray Low Jon Welsh
Scorers
Ruaridh Jackson Penalty
Ruaridh Jackson Penalty
DTH van der Merwe Try 
DTH van der Merwe Try 
Ruaridh Jackson Conversion
Ruaridh Jackson Penalty
Ruaridh Jackson Penalty
Tom Ryder Try 
Posted by Alan on April 23, 2011 11:16 AM | Reply to this comment

Last week's defeat in Italy was at the hands of... Treviso, and not Aironi as the article suggests. Magners League made the same mistake on their website too.

Posted by S153 on April 23, 2011 06:14 PM | Reply to this comment

Surely the time has come to freshen up the coaching staff. We are going backwards. Edinburgh sack their coach but ours is still in a job, explain that one please?

Posted by disco on April 25, 2011 10:49 AM | Reply to this comment

I don't recall Rob Moffat taking his side to the playoffs...

Posted by Ben on May 3, 2011 12:32 PM | Reply to this comment

Ben - You can only really look at their successes this season - Moffat left with Edinburgh ahead of us.

Haddent took Edinburgh to the Heineken quarters doesn't mean he is wonderful the next year or the year after if he is not producing.....

Posted by jump on April 24, 2011 10:42 PM | Reply to this comment

Agreed, was thinking the same thing - Edinburgh will finish above Glasgow this season yet they have sacked Moffat when he has not had the chance to really establish his methods. Lineen has had his time with relative success but time for some fresh input.

Posted by ballinj on April 25, 2011 11:52 AM | Reply to this comment

watched the game on the tv and judging by Lineen's reactions I would not be surprised if he called it time at the end of the season. He looks thoroughly hacked off, and it can't be too much fun knowing that each year your team is going to get worse as the more established players leave.

Personally I don't think lineen can be blamed at all for this season as the loss of 3 of our best players and the size and extent of the injury list has meant that Glasgow have not had a chance this season.

However perhaps a rethink over the fitness and defence coaches needs to be taken as in both areas Glasgow have looked short this season.

Posted by Alan on May 1, 2011 11:45 PM | Reply to this comment

I would probably agree with you if I was sure that "the loss of 3 of our best players" was actually outwith his control . but I have yet to be convinced.

Posted by Tom on April 29, 2011 10:42 PM | Reply to this comment

Just returned from holiday and read a comment from Linean saying DTH was on fire against Treviso. Oh boy, does this mean he will be leaving next?

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