WARRIORS 27-19 DRAGONS 

Glasgow Warriors moved back into the top four in the Magners League with a three-tries-to-one victory over Newport Gwent Dragons this afternoon.

The Warriors now remain on course to securing a place in the play-offs ahead of the inaugural Grand Final on 29 May.

The Warriors were dealt an early blow as Scotland’s prolific flanker, John Barclay, was withdrawn from the starting XV due to illness. As a result, James Eddie was thrust straight into the starting line-up.

However, Eddie sustained an ankle injury just eight minutes into the game.

But despite the early dramas in the back-row, tries from each of the back three - Bernardo Stortoni, DTH van der Merwe and Colin Shaw - ensured success for the home side.

After the game, Warriors head coach Sean Lineen said: “I’m absolutely delighted.

“We wanted the [four try] bonus point but considering we were playing against a team who have won here five times in a row, I’ll take the win.

“The guys just had to go out there and dig out a win.

“I though Colin Shaw showed a great deal of maturity. Bernie [Stortoni] was great under the high ball as usual and DTH [van der Merwe] was outstanding.

“It was good to get the win because we need to get momentum back into our game.”

“The Ulster game [at Firhill on Friday 16 April] now takes on the same significance of today’s match. It’s a must-win game.”

The Warriors started the match brightly as Firhill was drenched in Easter sunshine.

Argentine fullback Stortoni scored after just three minutes as he twisted and turned through two tacklers.

The Dragons then edged in front through two Jason Tovey penalties, but Glasgow’s retaliation was soon sparked by Max Evans.

The Scotland centre clashed with his opposite man as they both tried to intercept a long pass wide.

The ball was sent loose and Van der Merwe pounced to hack the ball up-field. The Canadian international gave chase and beat the covering defenders to touch down.

A third Tovey penalty was cancelled out by two from Dan Parks to give the Warriors a 16-9 half-time lead.

In the second half, the visitors found themselves a man down as centre Matthew Watkins tried to haul Evans to ground by his head. The dangerous tackle merited a yellow card and he was duly sent to the sin bin. Parks slotted the resulting penalty.

As both sides began to utilise their replacements bench around the hour mark, Parks and Tovey exchanged penalties once more.

But it wasn’t until the 70th minute that Glasgow truly sealed victory.

Stortoni released Evans in midfield from where he made ground before chipping ahead. The bounce favoured the Glasgow chasers and Colin Shaw was on hand to dot down.

Newport winger Will Harries scored a consolation try in the 79th minute. Tovey converted but it was too little too late for the visitors.

Glasgow Warriors: Bernardo Stortoni ; Colin Shaw*, Max Evans, Graeme Morrison, DTH van der Merwe;  Dan Parks, Mark McMillan; Kevin Tkachuk, Fergus Thomson, Moray Low, Tim Barker, Alastair Kellock CAPTAIN, James Eddie, Kelly Brown, Johnnie Beattie
Substitutes: Dougie Hall, Ed Kalman, Dan Turner, Richie Vernon, Colin Gregor, Ruaridh Jackson, Hefin O'Hare

* = Fulltime Scotland 7s contracted player

Newport Gwent Dragons: Martyn Thomas; Will Harries, Matthew Watkins, Tom Riley, Richard Fussell; Jason Tovey, Wayne Evans; Hugh Gustafson, Tom Willis CAPTAIN, Patrick Palmer, Robert Sidoli, Luke Charteris, Andrew Coombs, Gavin Thomas, Toby Falatau
Substitutes: Steve Jones, Ben Castle, James Thomas, Hoani MacDonald, Rhodri Gomer-Davies, James Arlidge, James Leadbeater

Referee: Alan Lewis (IRFU)