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January 09, 2015

Glasgow Warriors 22 - 7 Scarlets

GUINNESS PRO12 match played at Scotstoun on Friday January 9th 2015 | No comments

Alex Dunbar went over for Glasgow's opening try
Glasgow Warriors ran out 22-7 winners over Scarlets at a wet and windy Scotstoun Stadium this evening.

Glasgow made what was ultimately a comfortable win more difficult than necessary by leaking a try to Scarlets full back Liam Williams, converted by Rhys Priestland, in the final minute of the first half to let the visitors go in leading 7-5.

Glasgow had been in charge until then, scoring an excellent touch down through Alex Dunbar, set up by Sean Lamont.

It took only five minutes of the second half for Glasgow to regain the lead with a try from Peter Murchie, converted by Finn Russell who scored his second when DTH van der Merwe touched down after 70 minutes.

However! Glasgow couldn't add the bonus-point fourth try.

Scarlets kicked off with the gale and in early play the wind was a big problem for the place kickers.

The first penalty chance fell to Glasgow's Russell but into the wind his attempt faded away before Priestland missed for the visitors after 13 minutes.

The same player had an easier chance two minutes later but he missed again as Glasgow took control.

And, after 28 minutes, carries by Tim Swinson and Jonny Gray made territory before the ball was moved left where it took two Scarlets defenders to deal with winger Lamont, who unloaded outside to centre Dunbar to score.

The try was unconverted and against the run of play, with two minutes of the half remaining, the visitors struck back.

WIlliams scored an individual effort after intercepting a Nikola Matawalu pass and with the conversion, the Welsh side went into the break with the lead.

Scarlets however would not add to their total in the second half.

A great drive by Josh Strauss ended with lock Leone Nakarawa sending full back Murchie in at the corner for the try and Russell kicked the conversion.

Glasgow were on the front foot until around the 60th minute when Scarlets put in a massive burst of phases in the home 22 but finally lost possession and after 66 minutes the penalty from Russell from outside the Scarlets 10 metres line put Glasgow two scores ahead.

With their tails now up Glasgow scored their third try in 70 minutes with replacement wing Van Der Merwe touching down by the posts off a reverse pass from Matawalu before Russell converted.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: "I think that's one of our best performances of the season.

"Certainly the first half is one of the best we've played because to play in these conditions is really tough.

"I was so proud of the way the team came together and we did hammer on that try line on a few occasions to get a try and I was really disappointed to go in at half-time losing.

"But they showed great resolve in the second half - and tactical awareness as well - and we're really pleased with the win.

"It was a great response to last week. All the top four lost last week, so we did miss an opportunity to get a march over Ospreys.

"They are playing at home against Dragons, but it is good to put pressure on them."

Referee George Clancy (Ireland)
Attendance 5,320
Man of the Match Josh Strauss
Team
1
Jerry Yanuyanutawa
2
Pat MacArthur
3
Michael Cusack
4
Tim Swinson
5
Jonny Gray
6
Leone Nakarawa
7
Ryan Wilson
8
Josh Strauss
9
Nikola Matawalu
10
Finn Russell
11
Sean Lamont
12
Peter Horne
13
Alex Dunbar
14
Tommy Seymour
15
Peter Murchie
Sub
Fraser Brown
Sub
Ryan Grant
Sub
Euan Murray
Sub
James Eddie
Sub
Will Bordill
Sub
Ali Price
Sub
James Downey
Sub
DTH van der Merwe
Match Substitutions
Off On
Jerry Yanuyanutawa Ryan Grant
Off On
Michael Cusack Euan Murray
Off On
Pat MacArthur Fraser Brown
Off On
Leone Nakarawa James Eddie
Off On
Ryan Wilson Will Bordill
Off On
Sean Lamont DTH van der Merwe
Off On
Nikola Matawalu Ali Price
Off On
Peter Horne James Downey
Scorers
Alex Dunbar Try 
Peter Murchie Try 
Finn Russell Conversion
Finn Russell Penalty
DTH van der Merwe Try 
Finn Russell Conversion