EDINBURGH 15 – 22 GLASGOW

Glasgow Warriors returned to the top of the Magners League and secured the Greaves Sports 1872 Cup in one fell swoop today as they defeated Edinburgh 22-15 at Murrayfield.

The Warriors, cheered on by a huge vocal traveling support, followed up on their 25-12 victory at Firhill last weekend with a mature and dominant performance at the home of Scottish Rugby.

Glasgow’s two tries came from winger DTH van der Merwe and fullback Bernardo Stortoni – both set-up by stand-off Dan Parks. Parks’ boot also contributed seven points to the Warriors’ overall balance.

After the game, Warriors head coach Sean Lineen, said: “I thought our defence was outstanding under a lot of pressure. Defence defines a team’s character.

Glasgow’s captain, Al Kellock, added: “The supporters that came through today were awesome. They were loud throughout the entire match, even from when the names were getting read out before the game. They have been fantastic all season and are without doubt our 16th man.”

Dan Parks, Ruaridh Jackson and Hefin O'Hare celebrate with the Greaves Sports 1872 Cup

As expected, the opening exchanges were bruising encounters as Edinburgh came at Glasgow with all they had.

However, the Warriors soaked up the pressure and Parks ensured the scoring immediately went in Glasgow's favour with a penalty and drop-goal.

Edinburgh made their first mark on the scoreboard in the ninth minute through a Chris Paterson penalty.

Four minutes later, Glasgow confirmed their early superiority with a neatly choreographed try.

Graeme Morrison broke in centre-field, and the superb clearance which followed, gave scrum-half Chris Cusiter the chance to move the ball almost immediately. Parks then chipped the ball to the left corner where van der Merwe touched down.

The visitors almost crossed the whitewash again just minutes later as van der Merwe and John Barclay were unleashed out wide. However, the pas from centre Max Evans had drifted forward meaning the Warriors had to seek their fortunes later in the game.

In the 20th minute, van der Merwe was again at the centre of attention, but this time for the wrong reasons. As Edinburgh’s Mark Robertson leaped for a high ball, the Canadian took the winger out and was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes.

Despite being a man down, Glasgow weathered the storm, as Paterson and Parks both exchanged penalties to keep the sides separated by eight points.

Now with captain Al Kellock in the sin bin, Edinburgh battered Glasgow’s line in the final minutes of the opening half. But their final attack saw a ball spill from the side of the breakdown which Kelly Brown pounced on to turnover possession.

Paterson was then given a chance to cut Edinburgh’s deficit to five points with the last play of the half and he found the mark.

Half-time score: Edinburgh 9, Glasgow Warriors 14

The second period opened with a missed penalty from Parks, but his threat from the boot was re-established just eight minutes later.

As the Warriors surged towards the right hand corner, Parks launch a cross-field kick to the left. His pinpoint accuracy found Stortoni who touched down for the second try of the game.

Edinburgh replied through two Paterson penalties but could not penetrate the Warriors’ watertight defence (for a second week).

On some of his stand-out charges, Lineen continued: “You just wouldn’t believe it is Jon Welsh’s first year in the team after ten months in the gym. Beattie came on with a fantastic attitude – really looking to make a difference and Dougie Hall is playing the best rugby of his career.”

Magners Man of the Match: Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors)