Glasgow secure bonus point win against disappointing Cardiff Blues.
Glasgow Warriors 28 Cardiff Blues 0
Friday 28 November, Firhill Arena, 7.30pm.
The Glasgow Warriors got off to a good start when a break by Max Evans saw them work their way into Blues half before the ball was eventually turned over and cleared.
The opening minutes also saw the Blues dealt a heavy blow. A hard tackle by Calum Forrester on Nick Robinson saw the outside half go down with a shoulder injury. Robinson soon left the field for treatment to be replaced by Hewitt with Sweeney moving to Outside Half.
Glasgow nearly got the breakthrough when they turned the ball over, and Stortoni sprinted away with the ball just yards from the tryline. However, Sowden Taylor did well to recover and prevent the try. Next it was the Blues turn to attack.
From a line out on their own tryline, the Blues nearly scored from a superb breakaway, with Gareth Tomas weaving in and out past Thom Evans from all the way into Glasgows twenty two. Jamie Robison had the chance to put Tom James in the corner but the ball was passed forward and Glasgow cleared.
It was a frustrating five minutes for the visitors. Both sides were kicking for territory with neither making a breakthrough, however, Glasgow were awarded a penalty in the 24th minute and this time Parks converted having missed an earlier attempt.
The Blues were proving to be their own worst enemies, when minutes later they lost the ball on their own line out, and Mark McMillan scrambled over the tryline to score. Glasgow were beginning to dominate and were threatening the Blues tryline on a number of times. The Cardiff Blues werent helping their own cause with missed clearance kicks, missed tackles and knock-ons.
The Warriors got the second try just before half time. The Blues had defended valiantly on their tryline for five minutes as Glasgow picked and went form the base of rucks. However, when the ball went out to centre Max Evans he slipped through some sloppy tackling to score in the corner.
Half time Glasgow Warriors 13 Cardiff Blues 0
Glasgow started the second half as they ended the first with some strong running at the Blues defence with Number 8 Johnnie Beattie proving a handful when he went on a powerful run that split the defence. In contrast any possession the Blues had they seemed to waste.
Parks kicked another penalty to give Glasgow a 16-0 lead and things were looking bleak for the Blues. From the restart the Blues managed to give possession again to Glasgow who worked their way into the Blues twenty two. A neat chip through by Andrew Henderson saw winger Lome Fatau touch down in the corner.
The Blues were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and chose to go for the scrum. However, they failed to take advantage of their territory, were turned over and Glasgow cleared. It seemed to sum up their night.
Glasgow had a few opportunities to score a bonus point try, and got it in the last minute when Parks put in a neat chip for Max Evans to gather and score. Parks converted to crown a great night for the home team and a miserable one for the visitors.
Cardiff Blues 15 Ben Blair 14 Gareth Thomas (62off) 13 Jamie Robinson 12 Ceri Sweeney 11 Tom James 10 Nicky Robinson (7off) 9 Jason Spice (65off) 1 Taufaao Filise(71off) 2 T R Thomas (53off) 3 Gary Powell 4 Deiniol Jones 5 Paul Tito (63off) 6 Mamma Molitika (67off) 7 Robin Sowden-Taylor 8 Mark Lewis 16 Scott Roberts (71on) 17 Gareth Williams (53on) 18 Scott Morgan (63on) 19 Ben White (67off) 20 Richie Rees (55on) 21 Dafydd Hewitt (7on) 22 Richard Mustoe (62on) 23 Chris Czekaj
Cardiff Blues
Tries
Penalties
Cons
D/G
Glasgow Warriors
Tries McMillan x 1 Max Evans x 2 Fatau x 1
Penalties Parks x 2
Cons Parks x 1
D/G