Glasgow see off Perpignan
CHALLENGE CUP REPORT: Glasgow Warriors secured back-to-back wins in the EPCR Challenge Cup as they held on for a 26-18 victory over Perpignan at BT Murrayfield Stadium on Friday.
Scores from Rufus McLean, Huw Jones and Sebastian Cancelliere, plus a penalty try, did the business for the Scottish region as they followed up on their Round One win at Bath Rugby.
Perpignan briefly threatened a turnaround thanks to efforts from Jake McIntyre and Lucas Dubois, but Posolo Tuilagi’s yellow card hampered them over the latter stages.
Glasgow were in control with 23 minutes played as wing McLean and centre Jones finished off well-constructed moves, flyhalf Duncan Weir adding the extras to both scores.
But Per flyhalf McIntyre dotted down following a fast break from the visitors, reducing the deficit to nine points at the break.
Centre Dorian Laborde nudged a penalty on 56 minutes to further eat into Glasgow’s lead, and Perpignan would snatch the lead on the hour mark as replacement wing Dubois raced over and Laborde converted.
However, Glasgow went back on the offensive and their pressure on the Perpignan line led to a penalty try and a yellow card for replacement lock Tuilagi.
That made the hosts’ mission somewhat more manageable, and despite a Laborde penalty moving USAP to within three points, wing Cancelliere crossed late on to wrap up their victory and secure the bonus point.
Glasgow and Perpignan clash again in Round 3 as the Scottish region travel to the Stade Aimé Giral on January 14.
The scorers:
For Glasgow Warriors:
Tries: McLea, Jones, Cancelliere, Penalty try
Cons: Weir 2
For Perpignan:
Tries: McIntyre, Dubois
Con: Laborde
Pen: Laborde
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Sione Tuipulotu (captain), 12 Huw Jones, 11 Rufus McLean, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Sione Vailanu, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Lewis Bean, 3 Murphy Walker, 2 George Turner, 1 Jamie Bhatti.
Replacements: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Simon Berghan, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Sintu Manjezi, 21 Euan Ferrie, 22 Ali Price, 23 Tom Jordan.
Perpignan: 15 Tristan Tedder, 14 George Tilsley, 13 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 12 Dorian Laborde, 11 Mathieu Acebes (captain), 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 Tom Ecochard, 8 Genesis Mamea Lemalu, 7 Kelian Galletier, 6 Lucas Velarte, 5 Piula Faasalele, 4 Tristan Labouteley, 3 Siosiua Halanukonuka, 2 Seilala Lam, 1 Giorgi Tetrashvili,
Replacements: 16 Mike Tadjer, 17 Xavier Chiocci, 18 Arthur Joly, 19 Posolo Tuilagi, 20 Lucas Bachelier, 21 Sadek Degmache, 22 Lucas Dubois, 23 Boris Goutard.
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (England)
Assistant referees: Simon Harding (England) & Peter Allan (England)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)
Source: @ChallengeCup_
*Picture credit: @GlasgowWarriors
