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November 03, 2017

Glasgow Warriors 31 - 21 Leinster

GUINNESS PRO14 match played at Scotstoun on Friday November 3rd 2017 | No comments

Nick Grigg went over for two tries
Warriors extended their unbeaten PRO14 run to eight games with tonight's bonus-point win over Leinster at Scotstoun.

After last week's man-of-the-match performance against Southern Kings, George Horne once again turned in an eye-catching display with two tries, but it was the running of Nikola Matawalu that set the game alight while Nick Grigg touched down twice in a brilliant opening 24 minutes that saw the two sides score six tries between them.

However it was the visitors who started the game on the front foot before the Warriors had barely thrown a ball in anger, with Jordan Larmour dancing past several tackles before he was dragged down after gaining around 30 metres.

The ball eventually made its way to Jamison Gibson-Park, who produced a smart finish from the base of the ruck to touch down.

The home supporters were off their seats seconds later however as George Horne raced clear from the 22 metre line after slick work by Matawalu and George Turner to level the scores at seven apiece.

A poor kick from Glasgow gave their opponents the chance to put more pressure on and Rory O'Laughlin squeezed over from five yards out within moments of the restart, only to be pegged back once more as another mazy run from Matawalu resulted in Grigg barrelling over to make it 14-14 in a frantic opening 15 minutes.

Jordi Murphy was shown a yellow card for preventing George Horne from a quick tap and go, and Leinster were made to pay as the scrum-half added his second of the night.

The bonus point was wrapped up after just 24 minutes, and again Matawalu was the catalyst for a breathtaking try.

Receiving the ball deep in his own half, the winger raced clear displaying some dazzling footwork, and with the line beckoning, selflessly passed to Grigg who had to easy task of running in for a 28-14 lead before Murphy was allowed back on.

Peter Horne kicked a penalty before the action died down going into the break.

Early in the second period Scott Cummings, who was released from the Scotland squad to play, was sent to the bin before Ross Byrne touched down in the corner, but the Warriors showed good character to withstand a heavy barrage and limit the scoring.

Substitute Alex Dunbar was also shown yellow on his return from injury, but the hosts stood firm to claim another PRO14 win.

The Warriors now have a break during the Autumn international window but will worry on the extent of the knee injury that forced Matt Fagerson off early in the second period.

After the game, Glasgow head coach Dave Rennie said: "We attacked very well and that was a pretty special try, with Niko going 100 metres, which certainly brings the crowd into the game. I thought we were excellent with ball in hand.

"We have put ourselves in a very good position going into a little bit of a break. We have eight wins in the bag and a couple of weeks of grace. We are making shifts and we have learned a lot about how fit we are. We are getting a harder edge about ourselves, especially with our clean out and generating quick ball, but I know we can be a lot better in a lot of areas too. I am still waiting for a high-quality 80 minute-performance."

Referee Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Attendance 7,351
Man of the Match Nikola Matawalu
Team
1
Jamie Bhatti
2
George Turner
3
D'arcy Rae
4
Tim Swinson
5
Scott Cummings
6
Robert Harley
7
Callum Gibbins
8
Matt Fagerson
9
George Horne
10
Peter Horne
11
Nikola Matawalu
12
Sam Johnson
13
Nick Grigg
14
Lelia Masaga
15
Ruaridh Jackson
Sub
Pat MacArthur
Sub
Alex Allan
Sub
Adam Nicol
Sub
Lewis Wynne
Sub
Matt Smith
Sub
Henry Pyrgos
Sub
Alex Dunbar
Sub
Leonardo Sarto
Match Substitutions
Off On
George Horne Henry Pyrgos
Off On
Sam Johnson Alex Dunbar
Off On
Matt Fagerson Matt Smith
Off On
George Turner Pat MacArthur
Off On
Jamie Bhatti Alex Allan
Off On
D'arcy Rae Adam Nicol
Off On
Lelia Masaga Leonardo Sarto
Off On
Callum Gibbins Lewis Wynne