Glasgow Warriors | Glasgow Warriors v Llanelli Scarlets
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February 09, 2012

Glasgow Warriors 19 - 9 Llanelli Scarlets

GUINNESS PRO12 match played at Firhill on Thursday February 9th 2012 | No comments

Jon Welsh went over for the Glasgow try
Glasgow Warriors rose to third in the RaboDirect PRO12 table after a comfortable 19-9 victory over Scarlets at Firhill tonight.

International fly-half Ruaridh Jackson notched 14 points, supplementing a sole try from prop Jon Welsh, while Scarlets countered through nine points from the boot of Dan Newton.

Despite the hosts making a strong start, it was the Scarlets' Newton who was handed the game's first scoring chance, when the Glasgow pack was penalised for not rolling away. The full-back squandered the opportunity however, sending his effort wide of the uprights.

There was no doubt that the Warriors' backline showed better promise, the centre pairing of Graeme Morrison and Troy Nathan looking particularly threatening, with Samoan winger David Lemi also looking particularly lively.

Jackson, making his first start since the turn of the year, missed an early penalty chance but made amends minutes later when his lightning break provided the Warriors' with prime field position in the opposition 22. Possession was squandered though and the move petered out, but Scarlets' indiscipline at the ensuing breakdown gave Jackson a further penalty opportunity which he duly stroked over to give his side the lead.

The visitors were rewarded for a brief foray into Glasgow territory when Newton converted a straightforward penalty effort after Jackson was punished for holding onto the ball on the deck, but normal service soon resumed as the hosts dominated possession without creating any clear chances.

Lemi appeared most likely to buck that trend, his chip through causing chaos in the visitors' defensive ranks, but a fantastic cover tackle from scrum-half Gareth Davies averted the danger, albeit carrying the ball across his own line in the process. From the resulting scrum, Jon Welsh powered over for the game's only try, Jackson adding the extras.

Jackson missed with a penalty effort late in the first half, but atoned for his inaccuracy with a similar attempt early in the second, stretching the hosts' advantage to 10 points.

The deficit was reduced only moments later when Newton banged over a penalty from close range, before adding another penalty on the hour as the home rearguard began to waver.

But two further Jackson penalties put the result beyond doubt and kept Glasgow on track for a play-off spot.

Head coach Sean Lineen said: “That was another terrific team effort from first to last. We put so much energy and aggression into the game, and deserved to come away from the win.

“It sets us up well for what will be another massive test away to Connacht next Saturday."

Referee Nigel Owens (Wales)
Attendance 2,665
Team
1
Ryan Grant
2
Dougie Hall
3
Jon Welsh
4
Rob Verbakel
5
Tom Ryder
6
Robert Harley
7
Chris Fusaro
8
Ryan Wilson
9
Henry Pyrgos
10
Ruaridh Jackson
11
David Lemi
12
Graeme Morrison
13
Troy Nathan
14
Tommy Seymour
15
Peter Murchie
Sub
Fergus Thomson
Sub
Gordon Reid
Sub
George Hunter
Sub
Nick Campbell
Sub
Calum Forrester
Sub
Murray McConnell
Sub
Alex Dunbar
Sub
Scott Wight
Match Substitutions
Off On
Chris Fusaro Calum Forrester
Off On
Dougie Hall Fergus Thomson
Off On
Ryan Grant Gordon Reid
Off On
Troy Nathan Alex Dunbar
Scorers
Ruaridh Jackson Penalty
Jon Welsh Try 
Ruaridh Jackson Conversion
Ruaridh Jackson Penalty
Ruaridh Jackson Penalty
Ruaridh Jackson Penalty