Glasgow Warriors 27 – 19 Newport Gwent Dragons
Glasgow Warriors won their first game in six attempts at Firhill Arena to remain on course for the Magners League play-offs.
Newport Gwent Dragons proved dogged opposition but their set piece struggled at the scrums and when Luke Charteris left the field the line-out became another area of concern.
Will Harries scooted over in the dying seconds but the Dragons fell agonisingly short of securing an invaluable losing bonus point.
Bernardo Stortoni gave Glasgow the perfect start with an early try and a breakaway score from DTH van der Merwe put Glasgow clear but the Jason Tovey’s reliable left boot kept the Dragons in touch 16-9 at half-time.
Dan Parks banged over four penalties and Colin Shaw’s late try sealed a Glasgow win but the Dragons plucky performance should give Paul Turner’s men confidence as they attempt to win the race among the Welsh regions to gain one of the three Heineken Cup spots up for grabs between the four Welsh regions.
Stortoni’s try within four minutes gave Glasgow the perfect start but the Dragons hit back with two penalties by Tovey.
Glasgow scored a breakaway try when Van der Merwe hacked the ball downfield and outpaced Harries to the bobbling ball.
Tovey kept the Dragons in touch with his third penalty, but Parks at added two penalties to give the home side a 16-9 half-time lead.
Two penalties by Parks put Glasgow firmly in control before the Dragons edged back with another Tovey penalty. Just when it looked like the Dragons were going to get something out of the game, Shaw gathered a bouncing ball close to the visitors try-line to score Glasgow’s third try.
Harries had the last say with his try but it left the Dragons just one point short of securing a losing bonus point.
