Edinburgh Rugby 23-7 Glasgow Warriors

• 22 Dec 2018

The home side started brightly as the Warriors struggled to get into their stride and they won the first penalty of the match after eight minutes. Jaco van der Walt with a straight forward kick from inside the Warriors 22 and Edinburgh led 3-0.

The home side stretched their lead four minutes later when Duhan van der Merwe intercepted a loose ball and ran from deep inside his half to score in the corner. The backtracking Stuart Hogg did his best to get back but the South African was too quick. Van der Walt added the extras and Edinburgh led 10-0.

Jaco van der Walt added a second penalty after 22 minutes and Edinburgh led 13-0.

After 32 minutes the Warriors found themselves with a line-out on the Edinburgh five metre line, but an overthrow handed possession back to Edinburgh and Glasgow were still looking for their first points of the match.

With five minutes to go until half-time the Warriors won another penalty and Hogg kicked to within 20 metres of the Edinburgh line.

The visitors won clean ball from the line-out and attacked deep inside the Edinburgh 22. Several phases later with a penalty advantage, George Horne put a lovely chip over the top and on his 150th appearance for the club his brother Pete collected the ball and touched down. His teammates rushed in to celebrate with the centre and the Warriors were back in the game.

Adam Hastings added the extras and Edinburgh’s lead was reduced to six points and it remained 13-7 to Edinburgh until the break.

10 minutes into the second-half the Warriors had a long period of possession on the Edinburgh line but the home side defended well and Glasgow couldn’t find a way through.

Four minutes later Edinburgh had the best chance of the first-half when Duhan van der Merwe sped away and was brought down short of the line. Edinburgh were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and Callum Gibbins was shown a yellow card. Jaco van der Walt kicked the points to stretch Edinburgh’s lead to 16-7.

Despite periods of possession the Warriors were struggling to get into the game and Rennie rung the changes just before the hour mark with Chris Fusaro and Tim Swinson replacing Adam Ashe and Rob Harley.

With 20 minutes to go there was a decisive moment when Adam Hasting threw a loose ball and Duhan van der Merwe collected it and raced in for his second try of the match. The extras were added and Edinburgh led 23-7.

Niko Matawalu replaced Tommy Seymour, Huw Jones came on for Adam Hastings and Ali Price replaced George Horne as the Warriors looked for some spark. Peter Horne moved to fly-half.

But the Warriors were unable to find any continuity and the game simmered out, meaning Glasgow will need to win the next two games at Scotstoun if they’re to win back the 1872 Cup.

The two sides will meet again in seven days in Glasgow and Dave Rennie will be looking for a reaction from his side.