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January 16, 2021

Glasgow Warriors 23 - 22 Edinburgh

GUINNESS PRO14 match played at Scotstoun on Saturday January 16th 2021 | No comments

It was an eventful evening for George Turner, with a try and a yellow card
Glasgow Warriors edged out Edinburgh in this evening's PRO14 match at Scotstoun.

Ross Thompson, making his first start for Warriors, kicked three penalties and converted tries by Matt Fagerson and George Turner. However it was an assured all-round performance at fly-half that saw the 21-year-old take the Man-of-the-Match award.

Edinburgh scores came from tries by Jamie Farndale, Chris Dean and Eroni Sau with Jaco van der Walt adding the other points with the boot. Van der Walt had a chance to clinch the game at the end but he was unable to convert Sau's try from wide on the left.

Danny Wilson was a happy man tonight's dramatic win over Edinburgh at Scotstoun, having seen his side even up the 2020/21 1872 Cup series at one win apiece, but sees Glasgow Warriors lift themselves into contention for Heineken Champions Cup qualification in Guinness PRO14 Conference A.

"To win a derby after a few weeks without a win is really pleasing for all involved," said the Glasgow Warriors Head Coach.

"It was a properly gutsy performance. If I'm honest I feel we deserved to and should have won by more, but that's nit-picking really. I'm delighted with the effort tonight."

The performance from Thompson was one of many facets to an impressive Glasgow performance, the FOSROC Scottish Rugby Academy prospect fitting in seamlessly on his first professional start.

Rufus McLean's efforts on debut also earned the winger plaudits from the Premier Sports punditry team, whilst Ollie Smith's late introduction from the bench made it a trio of talented young Scottish backs making their first appearance at Scotstoun.

"To come out of the academy and make your first start in a derby is pressure enough as it is, and I thought Ross was outstanding tonight," said Wilson.

"You need your goal-kicker to step up in tight games like tonight, and he was nearly flawless. The way he played generally was also really pleasing, and he stood up in defence really well - Edinburgh sent big Mata at him a couple of times and he chopped him down. Credit to him, and it's really pleasing and promising looking long-term.

"I also thought Rufus stood up really well tonight - he went looking for work and showed up well. It's a real positive to have these young Scottish talents coming through the system."

A much-improved scrummaging display was also key to Glasgow's victory, as the Warriors pack proved too strong time and time again for their cross-country counterparts.

"I want to give massive credit to the boys up front," said Wilson.

"The way we turned our scrum performance around from a fortnight ago is a testament to how hard they've worked. We went from holding our own at BT Murrayfield to completely dominating the scrum in that first half.

"I also want to give credit to Fraser Brown - even whilst he's been injured he's done a lot of coaching work with the boys in order to get them ready for this match. The performances from Aki (Seiuli) and Zander (Fagerson) were immense, and everyone in the pack stood up tonight."

With no match scheduled for next weekend, Wilson's men are set for a rest week following tonight's victory before the international calendar and the 2021 Guinness Six Nations loom into view.

"A lot of our boys will likely be moving on into Scotland camp over the next couple of weeks, and we wish them all those who get selected the best of luck," said Wilson.

"It means another big shift in terms of our playing group, but we'll be ready for that.

"The win was so important tonight - it was a reward for the effort the boys have put in and the performance deserved it."

Referee Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Attendance 0
Man of the Match Ross Thompson
Team
1
Aki Seiuli
2
George Turner
3
Zander Fagerson
4
Richie Gray
5
Scott Cummings
6
Ryan Wilson
7
Tom Gordon
8
Matt Fagerson
9
Ali Price
10
Ross Thompson
11
Rufus McLean
12
Robbie Fergusson
13
Nick Grigg
14
Lee Jones
15
Huw Jones
Sub
Johnny Matthews
Sub
Tom Lambert
Sub
Enrique Pieretto
Sub
Leone Nakarawa
Sub
Robert Harley
Sub
Jamie Dobie
Sub
Brandon Thomson
Sub
Ollie Smith
Match Substitutions
Off On
Richie Gray Leone Nakarawa
Off On
George Turner Johnny Matthews
Off On
Scott Cummings Robert Harley
Off On
Lee Jones Ollie Smith
Scorers
Ross Thompson Penalty
Ross Thompson Penalty
Ross Thompson Penalty
Matt Fagerson Try 
Ross Thompson Conversion
George Turner Try 
Ross Thompson Conversion