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April 13, 2018

Glasgow Warriors 35 - 22 Connacht

GUINNESS PRO14 match played at Scotstoun on Friday April 13th 2018 | No comments

Sam Johnson was involved in much of Glasgow's best work
Glasgow Warriors secured a home PRO14 semi-final spot after this evening's win over Connacht at Scotstoun.

It was their tenth victory from ten at Scotstoun this season and sent another message to their PRO14 rivals ahead of the semi-finals.

Glasgow knew a win would secure top spot in Conference A but it was the Irish side that opened the scoring with Findlay Bealham crashing over in just the second minute to give Connacht the dream opening and hint of a possible upset. Warriors struck back immediately as Stuart Hogg crossed the whitewash after a sweeping move and Peter Horne made no mistake with the boot as the home edged in front.

Man-of-the-match Horne then added three penalties as Glasgow stretched their lead to gradually wrestle control of the encounter with Sam Johnson putting in another powerful performance at centre.

Jack Carty replied with a penalty on 25 minutes, but again the Warriors roared back and were over through Alex Dunbar moments later, Horne adding the extras in typically clinical fashion.

And the home side dealt another blow to Connacht's hopes of a comeback after a forward drive saw Fraser Brown touch down and Horne's trusty left boot added the extras to make it 30-8 at the break.

And any danger of Glasgow taking their foot of the gas with such a commanding cushion was put to bed three minutes into the second half.

Henry Pyrgos finished off a flowing break with a desperate dive under pressure, crashing home at the base of the post. Referee Frank Murphy awarded the hosts the bonus-point score after consultation with the TMO.

A spirited Connacht then thought they had found their second score of the night, but TMO again ruled against them as it deemed the ball was not grounded.

Connacht did strike ten minutes from time through Caolin Blade, who finished off following a superb break from Stacey Ili, Carty adding the extras.

And the scoreline was made more respectable when Murphy awarded a penalty try to the visitors four minutes from the end after an infringement at the scrum.

But despite a hugely improved second-half display, it was too little, too late for Connacht as Glasgow secured the victory and looked ahead to a May semi-final at Scotstoun.

Referee Frank Murphy
Attendance 7,351
Man of the Match Peter Horne
Team
1
Alex Allan
2
Fraser Brown
3
Zander Fagerson
4
Scott Cummings
5
Jonny Gray
6
Robert Harley
7
Callum Gibbins
8
Matt Fagerson
9
Henry Pyrgos
10
Peter Horne
11
DTH van der Merwe
12
Sam Johnson
13
Alex Dunbar
14
Tommy Seymour
15
Stuart Hogg
Sub
Grant Stewart
Sub
Jamie Bhatti
Sub
Siua Halanukonuka
Sub
Kiran McDonald
Sub
Chris Fusaro
Sub
Ali Price
Sub
Finn Russell
Sub
Nikola Matawalu
Match Substitutions
Off On
Scott Cummings Kiran McDonald
Off On
Jonny Gray Chris Fusaro
Off On
DTH van der Merwe Nikola Matawalu
Off On
Alex Allan Jamie Bhatti
Off On
Fraser Brown Grant Stewart
Off On
Zander Fagerson Siua Halanukonuka
Off On
Peter Horne Finn Russell
Off On
Henry Pyrgos Ali Price
Scorers
Stuart Hogg Try 
Peter Horne Conversion
Peter Horne Penalty
Peter Horne Penalty
Peter Horne Penalty
Alex Dunbar Try 
Peter Horne Conversion
Fraser Brown Try 
Peter Horne Conversion
Henry Pyrgos Try