Glasgow inch closer to quarter-finals
MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors took a giant leap towards the Champions Cup quarter-finals with a 33-24 bonus-point win over Cardiff Blues at Scotstoun on Sunday.
It took 26 minutes for the first points of the afternoon, and they came to the home side. From an attacking line-out, Glasgow powered towards the try line and Grant Stewart was the man able to force his way over. The conversion in windy conditions was made by Brandon Thomson who judged the kick to perfection.
Minutes later, Glasgow extended the advantage as Ali Price had Scott Cummins on his shoulder and played a simple but effective ball inside for the lock to dive through a gap and over the try line.
But Cardiff showed resolve to score the final points of the first half after a nice one-two pass and then kick from Dan Fish allowed Owen Lane to bundle his way over the try line. TMO took a look at whether Fish was offside, but referee JP Doyle was satisfied and the try was awarded.
A clinical line-out and driving maul from Glasgow meant they scored the first try of the second half, with Chris Fusaro the man dragged over the try line.
Cardiff again hit back as Owen Lane played a cutting final pass to Harri Millard who dived over at the corner, but just two minutes later Oli Kebble would score for the home side and regain the 18-point cushion.
Two further scores from Josh Navidi and Lane set up a grandstand finish at Scotstoun but it wasn’t to be for Cardiff who were punished late on with replacement George Horne rounding off the scoring.
Glasgow Warriors now travel to already-qualified Saracens in Round 6 while Cardiff will host Lyon.
The scorers:
For Glasgow Warriors:
Tries: Stewart, Cummings, Fusaro, Kebble, Horne
Cons: Thomson 5
Cardiff Blues:
Tries: Lane 2, Millard, Navidi
Cons: Evans 2
Teams
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Nick Grigg, 12 Sam Johnson, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Brandon Thomson, 9 Ali Price, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Callum Gibbins (co-captain), 6 Ryan Wilson (co-captain), 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Rob Harley, 3 D’Arcy Rae, 2 Grant Stewart, 1 Oli Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Kevin Bryce, 17 Alex Allan, 18 Petrus du Plessis, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Chris Fusaro, 21 George Horne, 22 Adam Hastings, 23 Lee Jones.
Cardiff Blues: 15 Dan Fish, 14 Owen Lane, 13 Harri Millard, 12 Willis Halaholo, 11 Tom James, 10 Steve Shingler, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Seb Davies, 7 Josh Navidi, 6 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 5 Rory Thornton, 4 George Earle, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Matthew Rees (captain), 1 Brad Thyer.
Replacements: 16 Ethan Lewis, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Macauley Cook, 20 Nick Williams, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Aled Summerhill.
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistant referees: John Meredith (England), Phil Watters (England)
TMO: David Grashoff (England)
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