Glasgow Warriors recorded a stunning victory over reigning Magners League champions, Ospreys, at Firhill this afternoon.

After a penalty wrought first half, the Warriors came out and provided a fiery second half performance, suppressing anything the star-studded visitors had to offer.

Glasgow Warriors head coach, Sean Lineen said: “We have improved every game this season.

“It’s been a frustrating time, but a victory like this was never far away. Some of the rugby we played was outstanding.”

Captain John Barclay agreed with his coach, and paid testament to one of the greatest 40 minutes of his Glasgow career.

“That was one of the best second halves I ever been involved in during my sevens years with Glasgow. From one to 15, every player made an impact.

“It was like an international, especially in relation to some of the collisions.”

The first points of the match came two minutes after the whistle. Glasgow were penalised at the scrum giving visiting stand-off Dan Biggar a simple strike at the posts. 0-3

It wasn’t long before Ospreys scored again as Scotland winger Nikki Walker, who always seems to find his scoring form against Scottish sides, crossed in the corner.

Walker crossed the line with a straight forward two-on-one, leaving the Glasgow fans wondering where the home defence had got to. Biggar was unsuccessful with the conversion. 0-8

On the ten minute mark, Glasgow showed brilliant attacking promise as Ruaridh Jackson kicked the home side into the opposition 22 from deep in his own half. They then pushed forward onto the five metre line only to be denied a score when Bernardo Stortoni knocked on.

Glasgow were awarded a simple penalty in front of the posts on 14 minutes, gaining their first points of the match. Moments later they were penalised allowing Biggar his second penalty of the game.     3-11

Glasgow’s momentum was then reignited with hooker Dougie Hall breaking the line and closing in on the whitewash. Points were once again denied when Ruaridh Jackson ran into Jon Welsh who had frustratingly drifted into the stand-offs path.

It wasn’t too long before the Warriors were rewarded though. Richie Gray confused the opposition defence with a great dummy, opening the way for him to stride over the line. Jackson was unsuccessful with the conversion. 8-11

The Ospreys responded immediately with Walker touching down on the far-side for his second try of the evening. 8-16

Glasgow once again found themselves metres from the line through another fantastic break from Hall. They however had to settle with only three points when Ryan Jones was sin binned for killing the ball which paved the way for Jackson to knock over another simple penalty. 11-16
 
Half-time score: Glasgow Warriors 11-16 Ospreys

It took the best part of 15 minutes before any second half points were put onto the score board.

The Ospreys were punished for collapsing the scrum permitting Jackson another three points. Then again ten minutes later replacement fly half Duncan Weir raised the roof of the Jackie Husband stand as he added another three giving the Warriors the lead for the first time. 17-16

The second half really lifted off on 67 minutes as John Barclay scooped up a knock on deep in the Ospreys 22. It was then fed through the forwards before it found Richie Vernon who crossed for his first try of the night. Weir converted. 24-16

Glasgow continued to play the game at an incredible pace throughout the second half, with Ospreys struggling to cope.

It wasn’t long before Glasgow found themselves over the try line again, but unfortunately held up. The scrum that followed however opened up to allow replacement prop Kevin Tkachuk to boldly dive over the line. Weir converted. 31-16

The game was wrapped up with a third try from Ospreys winger, Nikki Walker, who laid a marker down for his personal international ambitions, with little help from his team mates.

Full-time score: Glasgow Warriors 31-23 Ospreys

Magners Man of the Match: Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors)

Glasgow Warriors: Bernardo Stortoni; Colin Shaw, Max Evans, Graeme Morrison, Rob Dewey; Ruaridh Jackson, Colin Gregor; Jon Welsh, Dougie Hall, Moray Low, Richie Gray, Aly Muldowney, Robert Harley, John Barclay (captain), Richie Vernon
Replacements: Fergus Thomson (for Hall), Kevin Tkachuk (for Welsh), Ed Kalman (for Low), Tom Ryder (for Muldowney), Calum Forrester (for Harley), Henry Pyrgos, Duncan Weir (for Jackson), Peter Horne (for Dewey)

Ospreys: Lee Bryne; Nikki Walker, Tommy Bowe, James Hook, Richard Fussell; Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones, Ian Gough, Ian Evans, Jerry Collins (captain), Justin Tipuric, Ryan Jones
Replacements: Mefia Davies (for Bennett), Ryan Bevington (for James), Craig Mitchell (for A. Jones), James Goode, Marty Holah (for Tipuric), Jamie Nutbrown (for Phillips), Tom Prydie (for Bryne), Sonny Parker (for Prydie)

Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)