Glasgow fall short at Firhill

Editor

The Scarlets recorded a thrilling 37-29 victory over Glasgow in their Magners League clash at Firhill on Friday.

The Scarlets recorded a thrilling 37-29 victory over Glasgow in their Magners League clash at Firhill on Friday.

After losing their last five away games, the Scarlets were at their expansive best touching down five times overall.

Full-back Morgan Stoddart (twice), number eight Ben Morgan, lock Lou Reed and scrum-half Tavis Knoyle all scored tries.

The hosts hit back though two DTH van der Merwe scores and another by lock Tom Ryder but their disappointing season continues.

However, Glasgow started the brighter and two penalties from fly-half Ruaridh Jackson put them into an early lead. But the Welsh top-four contenders hit back on 16 minutes when Stoddart scampered over, fly-half Stephen Jones converting.

In an action packed opening quarter, Van der Merwe touched down for the hosts. Jackson failed to add the extras but the Scottish side were in the ascendency.

Reed was then sin-binned for the Scarlets but two successive missed penalties meant the hosts were unable to take advantage. Instead, with the last move of the half, Stoddart went over for his second try.

The lead was soon to change hands two minutes into the second half through van der Merwe.

Two Jones penalties brought the Scarlets level before Jackson kicked one of his own for Glasgow to leave the score at 21-18 to the home side.

With Warriors' prop Moray Low off the field, Morgan powered across the line for the visitors. However, Jackson put Glasgow one point ahead with 19 minutes remaining.

But the Scarlets lifted the intensity and Reed made up for his earlier indiscretion by touching down, with Jones converting, and then confirmed the win through Knoyle's sniping break.

Ryder scored late on but it wasn't enough to prevent yet another defeat for Glasgow.

For Glasgow:
Tries: Ryder, van der Merwe 2
Cons: Jackson
Pens: Jackson 4

For Scarlets:
Tries: Knoyle, Morgan, Reed, Stoddart 2
Cons: Jones 3
Pens: Jones 2

Glasgow: 15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 Hefin O'Hare, 13 Peter Murchie, 12 Graeme Morrison (c), 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Chris Cusiter, 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Richie Vernon, 6 James Eddie, 5 Tom Ryder, 4 Aly Muldowney, 3 Moray Low, 2 Dougie Hall, 1 Kevin Tkachuk.
Replacements: 16 Fergus Thomson, 17 Jon Welsh, 18 Ryan Grant, 19 Robert Harley, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 Duncan Weir, 22 Colin Gregor, 23 Federico Aramburu.

Scarlets:15 Morgan Stoddart, 14 George North, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 8 Ben Morgan. 7 Johnathan Edwards, 6 Rob McCusker, 5 Aaron Shingler, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Rhys Thomas, 2 Matthew Rees (c), 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: Emyr Phillips, Phil John, Simon Gardiner, Dominic Day, David Lyons, Martin Roberts, Rhys Priestland, Daniel Evans.

Referee: Carlo Damasco