Glasgow top Conference, Benetton make history

David Skippers

Glasgow's Niko Matawalu scores a try while tackled by Leinster's Jack Conan during the Champions Cup pool three match at The RDS Arena, Dublin. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday January 14, 2018. See PA story RUGBYU Leinster. Photo credit should read: Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use.

Glasgow Warriors secured top spot in Conference A of the PRO14 courtesy of 34-10 bonus-point victory over Edinburgh at Scotstoun on Saturday.

In an eventful day, there was also joy for Benetton, who made history by becoming the first Italian team to qualify for the tournament’s play-offs after beating Zebre 25-11 in Parma, and Ospreys, who secured fourth spot in Conference A when they claimed a narrow 26-23 win over Cardiff Blues at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

The loss to Glasgow and Benetton’s win over Zebre is a massive blow for Edinburgh as the Italian outfit finish above them in third place in the Conference B standings while the Scottish club have to settle for fifth spot after Scarlets, who lost 34-32 to Dragons at the Principality stadium, also moved clear of them into fourth place on the table after picking up a couple of bonus points in their derby defeat.

With the league phase of the competition done and dusted, Munster – who beat Connacht 27-14 at Thomond Park – will take on Benetton and Ulster face Connacht in next week’s semi-final qualifiers, with the Warriors and Leinster already in the semi-finals after finishing at the top of the two conferences. Meanwhile, Ospreys and Scarlets will compete in the Champions Cup play-off.

In Glasgow, the Warriors were full value for their win over Edinburgh as they dominated from the outset and raced into a 20-3 lead at half-time courtesy of tries from Sam Johnson and Ali Price which were both converted by Adam Hastings, who also slotted a couple of penalties. Edinburgh’s only points during that period came via a three-pointer off the kicking tee from Simon Hickey.

After the interval, Edinburgh had the wind at their backs but could not capitalise and it was the Warriors who extended their lead on the hour-mark when Niko Matawalu crossed for their third try which was also converted by Hastings.

The Warriors sealed the result in the 75th minute when Tommy Seymour crossed for their bonus-point try and Hastings made no mistake from the kicking tee again.

To their credit, Edinburgh did not surrender and they were rewarded with a consolation try shortly before the end from Duhan van der Merwe with Hickey adding the extras.

Meanwhile, in Limerick, Tadhg Beirne, Mike Haley and JJ Hanrahan scored Munster’s tries in their victory over Connacht and Tyler Bleyendaal slotted two penalties and a conversion while Hanrahan also kicked a conversion.

Connacht’s points came through tries from Finlay Bealham and Eoin McKeon which were both converted by Conor Dean.

In Benetton’s win over Zebre at Stadio Lanfranchi, Luca Morisi, Toa Halafihi, Sebastian Negri and Monty Ioane scored tries for the victors and Tommaso Allan added a penalty and a conversion.

Zebre’s points came via a Mattia Bellini try and Maicol Azzolini slotted two penalties.

Elsewhere, in Cardiff, Cory Allen and Nicky Smith scored tries for Ospreys and Sam Davies kicked two penalties and four conversions. Gareth Anscombe led the way for Cardiff Blues as he scored a try and added two conversions and three penalties and Josh Turnbull also dotted down.

In the other Judgement Day encounter at the Principality stadium, Matthew Screech scored a brace of tries for Dragons while Jack Dixon and Josh Lewis also crossed the whitewash. Lewis added three penalties and two conversions and Jason Tovey succeeded with a conversion as well.

For Scarlets, Johnny McNicholl was rewarded with two tries and their other five-pointers came via Jonathan Davies, Ioan Nicholas and Gareth Davies while Leigh Halfpenny slotted two conversions and a penalty.

Dragons’ win mean they finish above the Southern Kings in second last place in Conference B. The Kings suffered a 61-25 defeat to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein and in the only other match of the round Ulster edged out Leinster 14-13 in their derby clash at the Kingspan stadium.