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September 06, 2008

Newport Gwent Dragons 6 - 12 Glasgow Warriors

RaboDirect PRO12 match played at Rodney Parade on Friday September 5th 2008 | 2 comments

Four penalties from Dan Parks helped Glasgow to the win
Four penalties from the boot of Dan Parks saw Glasgow open their Magners League campaign with a win over the Dragons at a sodden Rodney Parade.

James Arlidge opened the scoring with a penalty for the home side, who had the better of the first half in Newport.

But man-of-the-match Parks levelled before the break, then took charge after half-time with the help of his outstanding back row.

A late Shaun Connor penalty gave the Dragons a consolation bonus point.

Hopes of a free-flowing encounter were dimmed by the grey, rain-laden skies, that left pools of water on the pitch.

The Dragons' debut-making fly-half Arlidge landed a fifth-minute penalty, and Richard Fussell went close to a try after Arlidge's chip over the top of the defence.

The home side's plans were disrupted by an early leg injury to full-back Ashley Smith, with Connor taking his place.

Parks missed the chance to equalise with a 20th-minute penalty, then made amends with a second chance as the Dragons went offside at a ruck.

New Dragons captain Tom Willis looked comfortable in the quagmire conditions as the home forwards went through the phases, but neither try line was seriously threatened.

Glasgow took the lead for the first time just after the break, when Parks landed a fine long-range penalty when Richard Parks transgressed at a ruck.

The visiting fly-half's influence on the game began to increase, and his kick down the centre of the field won a scrum five when Wayne Evans could not deal with the greasy conditions.

Parks found space from the scrum, feinting left before targeting the blind-side, but a certain try was blown when his pass went too high for Lome Fa'atau to take cleanly.

Glasgow's pressure increased with only a series of desperate tackles holding them out as Parks missed a drop-goal and a further penalty.

As the Dragons looked to have weathered the storm, Connor foolishly tagged Thom Evans as the winger chased a kick.

The summer recruit from the Ospreys was sin-binned and Parks nailed the penalty to take the lead to six points.

The fly-half's fourth penalty was his best, the kick sneaking over from wide on the touch-line to take the Scots two scores clear.

The Dragons had kicked earlier penalty chances to touch, but now they turned back to goal, Connor missing from 40m.

With the game winding down, John Beattie binned for a ruck infringement and Connor landed the penalty from in front of the posts to secure a losing bonus point.

Glasgow's Dan Parks said: "The conditions were very heavy and very tough, but we knew that coming in - our boots were sodden in the warm-up.

"With all that water on top of the pitch it was difficult to play any sort of flamboyant rugby.

"We've always struggled down here and knew how tough it was going to be, so we're really happy with our defence and with the four points."

Glasgow captain Al Kellock added: “We knew we had to front-up, especially in the front five, and we did that exceptionally well. Despite the conditions, we played to the game plan and Dan controlled the game perfectly. He’s one of the best in the league at doing that.

Head coach Sean Lineen concluded: “Our defence was outstanding. The team showed a lot of spirit and stuck in there.”

Friday's win in Newport also marked the final game for Glasgow's Team Co-ordinator Kim Gray. Kim is leaving Glasgow for exciting new pastures. Kim has been a good friend to glasgowwarriors.com and we're very grateful for all the help and encouragement she's given us. Thanks Kim.

Long-ranger Parks rains on Dragons' parade for Glasgow

Parks finds footing and kicks Glasgow to victory in mud

It's same old story for the Dragons

Parks steers Glasgow to victory

Referee George Clancy (IRFU)
Attendance 4113
Man of the Match Dan Parks
Team
1
Justin Va'a
2
Dougie Hall
3
Moray Low
4
Tim Barker
5
Alastair Kellock
6
Kelly Brown
7
John Barclay
8
John Beattie
9
Mark McMillan
10
Dan Parks
11
Thom Evans
12
Graeme Morrison
13
Max Evans
14
Lome Fa'atau
15
Bernardo Stortoni
Sub
Eric Milligan
Sub
Kevin Tkachuk
Sub
Opeta Palepoi
Sub
Steve Swindall
Sub
Colin Gregor
Sub
Andrew Henderson
Sub
Ruaridh Jackson
Match Substitutions
Off On
Lome Fa'atau Ruaridh Jackson
Off On
Justin Va'a Kevin Tkachuk
Off On
Tim Barker Opeta Palepoi
Scorers
Dan Parks Penalty
Dan Parks Penalty
Dan Parks Penalty
Dan Parks Penalty
Gallery
    Posted by weebaw on September 7, 2008 09:42 AM | Reply to this comment

    The wing forwards were magnificent as usual and how Kelly Brown wasnt M O M is beyond me. Yes, Parks played the conditions well but the pack set them up and destroyed the Dragons in loose and lineout.

    I thought the ref was one of the best I have seen in Wales where we usually get a raw deal. Watch out for Mr Clancy.

    Posted by bossco85 on September 7, 2008 06:58 PM | Reply to this comment

    Very good performance in difficult conditions. Barclay and Brown both outstanding, the only player I felt didnt do enough was Al Kellock, I lost count of the amount of times Parks was congratulating the pack and Kellock was no where to be seen, it is blatantly obvious who our on the field Captain is!
    Roll on the Ospreys.

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