Glasgow Warriors too strong for Edinburgh

Tries from Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Gregor Hiddleston and Seb Stephen saw the home side take home a five-point haul, in front of over 21,000 spectators at the home of Scottish football.

With the Warrior Nation in full voice and the blue smoke from the pre-game fireworks still lingering over Hampden Park, the Warriors wasted no time in making themselves at home. Strong carrying from Scott Cummings and Darge saw the men in black surge towards the try-line, before Fagerson proved unstoppable from two metres out to touch down next to the uprights. Adam Hastings added the extras, and the Warriors led 7-0 with 10 minutes played.

The hosts were continuing to look the most dangerous with ball in hand, Kyle Steyn dominating the aerial battle whilst Jack Dempsey led the hard-charging pack in midfield. Yet with their first visit to the Glasgow 22, the visitors struck for an opening score of their own. Successive penalties kicked to the corner eventually saw Dylan Richardson barrel over the whitewash for the try, Cammy Scott’s conversion attempt drifting wide to leave the score at 7-5.

Straight from the restart, the Warriors immediately went back on the attack, Steyn picking up a loose ball and charging towards the try-line. Only last-ditch defence on the goal-line from Ewan Ashman could stop Darge, before Wes Goosen was called upon to put Jamie Dobie into touch as Glasgow exploited the overlap.

Dobie came even closer as the clock ticked towards the interval, standing up Darcy Graham on the outside to the delight of the Warrior Nation only to be squeezed into touch by the cover defence. Max Williamson was the next to go close on the stroke of half-time, the second-rower barging over only to find himself held up by the visiting defence.

The attacking momentum remained with Glasgow after the interval, Steyn continuing to pose a problem for the Edinburgh defence. One surging burst on one wing took the Warriors into the visitors’ 22, whilst swift hands from George Horne and Ollie Smith almost sent the skipper haring over in the corner.

Wave upon wave of Glasgow pressure was crashing down upon the Edinburgh defensive line, and the dam would eventually burst as the clock ticked past 50 minutes. Gregor Hiddleston led the charge from a quick tap penalty, before the Warriors went to work. In the end the visitors had no answer for Darge from a metre out, the openside crashing over for a score that – converted by Hastings – gave the hosts a 14-5 advantage.

From the kick-off, the Warriors back-line took centre stage. Turnover ball was worked wide to Sione Tuipulotu, the centre accelerating through the gears and bursting into Edinburgh territory. The resulting ruck gave Hastings the platform to go wide with the cross-kick, with only an illegal tackle from Ben Vellacott denying Dobie at the expense of a penalty.

It was a penalty of which Smith’s men took full advantage. Hiddleston’s throw was securely taken by Cummings, and when the Glasgow attackers piled in there was no stopping the Warriors. Hiddleston was the man to emerge with the ball for his third try in three matches, Hastings striking the upright from the touchline with his conversion attempt.

Edinburgh knew the next score was crucial, and set about searching for a breakthrough. Vellacott thought his sniping break from the 22 had taken him clear, only for Horne to produce a try-saving intervention, before Graham knocked on in his dart for the line.

The endeavour from the visitors was eventually rewarded with nine minutes to play, however, bringing the men from the capital back within a score. Grant Gilchrist was the man to find the final couple of metres after a strong carry from Paul Hill, Ross Thompson converting to make it a seven-point ball-game.

Yet the Warriors were in no mood to let the result slip, and with three minutes to play the result was sealed in roof-raising fashion. Once more the pack did the damage, a close-range maul taking play to within a handful of yards before Stephen powered over for his first try in Glasgow colours. Hastings was off target with the conversion, but it mattered little in the grand scheme of things.

The final whistle heralded a rousing chorus from the Warrior Nation, as they rose to acclaim their team under the southside skies. Five points in the bag and a 12-point advantage ahead of the second leg – all eyes now turn east next weekend, and to Scottish Gas Murrayfield for the decider