| Pro14: Glasgow v Dragons |
|---|
| Glasgow (17) 34 |
| Tries: Swinson, Stewart (2), H Jones, Dolokoto Con: P Horne (3) Pen: P Horne |
| Dragons (7) 19 |
| Tries: Williams (2), Hewitt Con: Davies (2) |
Glasgow Warriors enhanced their Pro14 play-off hopes with a bonus-point win over Dragons at windswept Scotstoun.
The Welsh side led in the opening minute through Rhodri Williams, but Glasgow stormed back with Tim Swinson and Grant Stewart crossing to open up a 17-7 half-time advantage.
Stewart and Williams traded second-half scores, as did Huw Jones and Dragons’ Ashton Hewitt, before Mesu Dolokoto touched down in the final minute as Glasgow finished with a flourish in their third straight victory.
It moves Warriors above Cheetahs into third place in Conference A, while fifth-place Dragons are 13 points adrift of the play-off spots.
Glasgow dig deep for victory
Despite their international commitments, Glasgow were able to field a strong side. They were rocked, though, in the opening minute and it was a moment to forget for Jamie Dobie on his first start for the club.
The 18-year-old attempted a lengthy pass from out wide that was intercepted by Williams, who galloped 70 yards to put the visitors ahead.
To Dobie’s credit, he didn’t dwell on the mistake and went on to produce a man-of-the-match performance in tough, blustery conditions that earned him a standing ovation when substituted in the closing stages.
Glasgow’s response to going behind was emphatic, with the forwards doing the graft to allow Swinson to crash over from close range.
Each pack then lost a man to the sinbin after a flashpoint at the breakdown. Oli Kebble reacted angrily to being pinned to the ground by Lloyd Fairbrother, shoving the Dragons prop in the face.
The pair were both yellow carded but the penalty was awarded to Glasgow and they took full advantage, with Stewart touching down.
The hosts were dealt a blow when Leone Nakarawa went down injured after a bone-crunching challenge near the line. The Fijian was unable to continue, with Chris Fusaro on in his place.
A Peter Horne penalty extended Glasgow’s lead and Aki Seiuli thought he had scrambled over for a third home try shortly before half-time, but the TMO ruled it out for a double movement.
There was another let-off for Dragons at the start of the second half as Seiuli’s lovely offload allowed Ratu Tagive to race in for a try, but it was disallowed for a knock-on in midfield. Glasgow weren’t to be denied, though, and a maul drove Stewart to the line for his second score.
Dragons needed something special and Sam Davies provided it with a brilliant break that allowed Williams to cross to reduce the deficit to eight points.
Glasgow hit back quickly as Jones finished off a fine move for the bonus-point try.
Again, the visitors refused to give up, with Hewitt racing clear after Joe Davies charged down Nick Frisby’s kick.
But with Dragons’ Josh Reynolds in the sinbin for an illegal tackle, Glasgow added gloss to the scoreline in the final minute as Dolokoto powered over for his third try in two games.
Glasgow Warriors: Glenn Bryce; Tommy Seymour, Huw Jones, Nick Grigg, Ratu Tagive; Pete Horne, Jamie Dobie; Aki Seiuli, Grant Steward, Oli Kebble, Rob Harley, Tim Swinson, Leone Nakarawa, Callum Gibbins (c), Ryan Wilson
Replacements: Mesu Dolokoto, Alex Allan, Ewan Mcquillin, Andrew Davidson, Chris Fusaro, Nick Frisby, Ruaridh Jackson, Niko Matawalu
Dragons: Joe Goodchild, Jared Rosser, Adam Warren, Jack Dixon, Ashton Hewitt, Sam Davies, Rhodri Williams (c); Brok Harris, Ellis Shipp, Lloyd Fairbrother, Joe Davies, Matthew Screech, Huw Taylor, Ollie Griffiths, Harrison Keddie
Replacements: Rhys Lawrence, Josh Reynolds, Aaron Jarvis, Max Williams, Taine Basham, Tavis Knoyle, Connor Edwards, Jacob Botica
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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