Warriors edge physical encounter

• 23 Dec 2022
• News

Glasgow Warriors took the spoils in the first leg of the 1872 Cup, claiming a 16-10 victory at a sodden Scotstoun.

The hosts edged a hugely attritional match in rainy conditions in the west, taking a half-time advantage thanks to a try from Jack Dempsey and a three-pointer from George Horne.

Edinburgh looked to bounce back into the game through a Connor Boyle score, but ill discipline was capitalised on by Tom Jordan, who crept the Warriors into the lead. van der Walt added a long range penalty at the death to cut the deficit, and earn Edinburgh a losing bonus points.

The opening exchanges were as cagey as expected, with neither side able to impose themselves on the game. The visitors had the first chances to get on the scoreboard, however Boffelli saw two long range efforts fall away from the posts.

Glasgow clinically took the lead, making the pressure of repeated 5-metre lineouts pay dividends. With the capital line creaking, Dempsey powered over for the first score of this year’s 1872 Cup. Repeated penalties made it near impossible for the visitors to gain a foothold in the game, and eventually the lead was extended, with Horne nudging a simple kick over on the stroke of half-time.

Edinburgh needed a response, and they got it with improved physicality, firing shots and getting over the gain line with almost every carry. Duhan van der Merwe came close to a spectacular score from deep, however it was the pack that finally ground out the score.

The capital side opted to go to the corner, and it was Connor Boyle that managed to break away from the maul to finish on the line.

Having got themselves back into the game, ill discipline once again reared its head, allowing the hosts to extend their lead twice through kicks from Tom Jordan.

Jaco van der Walt responded with a howitzer from half-way, however it was too little too late, with the side from the west claiming the win.