London Wasps 34, Glasgow Warriors 8
Glasgow Warriors lost by six tries to one in their final pre-season game of the year against European champions, London Wasps, at Adams Park tonight.

Glasgow came out of the blocks looking the sharper of the two sides, securing the ball well and taking the game to the hosts.

With only two minutes on the clock, stand-off Colin Gregor slotted a long-range penalty to give Glasgow an early lead, but as Wasps began to fight back, they set up camp in the Warriors’ 22. A break from Tim Payne raised the volume of the support, but Glasgow worked hard to turnover possession and clear the danger.

The counter attack switched the focus to the right wing where David Doherty tried to outpace Thom Evans. Evans brought Doherty to deck before Glasgow were penalised for coming in at the side of the ruck.

As Wasps continued to try and bully Glasgow up front, by battering them around the fringes, another try-saving tackle from Evans saw the hosts set up under the posts. Their final drive over the line was held up.

There was no sign of the pressure from Wasps easing off and the ball once again found its way to the right wing where Evans was on form in defence to bundle his opposite man into touch.

It wasn’t until the 17th minute that Glasgow really found their way out of their half, although their time on opposition soil was short lived as the referee blew for an infringement before awarding ten metres to the hosts for back-chat.

Just after 20 minute mark, Wasps were once again battering the Glasgow line. But as before, their defence was exemplary and a try-saving tackle from Colin Shaw was followed up by him holding the final attacker up over the line, denying the Heineken Cup champions two clear cut scoring opportunities.

It was in the 23rd minute that captain John Hart crossed the line for the first try of the night. A pick-and-go from the fringe of a ruck saw Hart go over from around two metres from the line. Dave Walder hit the right post with his conversion attempt.

After an injury break, Gregor brought the Warriors into the Wasps’ 22 with a neatly weighted kick. However, Wasps stole the ball in the lineout and proceeded to work their way up the park.

Wasps were once again back inside the Warriors’ 22 as Cipriani sliced through the defence, although his offload had much to be desired as it found the only patch of grass without a supporting player near it.

Five minutes later, Wasps set up an obvious forwards move off the side of the ruck but George Skivington appeared from the other side to break free.

Chris O’Young chased back and stopped him in his tracks with a crunching tackle bringing the 6ft 6in, 18st 5lbs flanker to the floor.

Wasps then crossed the line again as a simple succession of quick hands down the back-line sent winger Doherty over.

Six minutes into the second half, Doherty struck again, diving in at the right corner. Dave Walder missed the conversion.

It was Walder who then set up the hosts next score. A sublime break through the defensive line from the England international gave him enough room to offload to New Zealand Maori centre Riki Flutey who crossed under the posts. However, his attempt to convert his own try underneath the posts from five metres hit the right post.

Fifteen minutes later, a solo burst down the centre of the field put Dominic Waldouck on the scoresheet before Hefin O’Hare scored the Warriors’ only try of the game having burst down the left flank to dive in at the corner.

Wasps continued to batter themselves into the Warriors’ defensive line, which eventually opened up to send Hugo Ellis through for the final score of the night.

Man of the Match: James Haskell (London Wasps)

London Wasps: Danny Cipriani; David Doherty, Fraser Waters, Riki Flutey, Tom Voyce; Dave Walder, Simon Amor; Tim Payne, Joe Ward, Michael Holford, Richard Birkett, Tom Palmer, John Hart, George Skivington, James Haskell
Substitutes: James Buckland, Tom French, Nick Adams, Matt Corker, Hugo Ellis, Mark McMillan, Dominic Waldouck, Rob Hoadley, Chris Bishay

Glasgow Warriors: Colin Shaw; Hefin O’Hare, Graeme Morrison, Scott Barrow, Thom Evans; Colin Gregor, Chris O’Young; Michael Collins, Eric Milligan, Moray Low, Andy Newman, Dan Turner, Stevie Swindall, Donnie Macfadyen, Johnnie Beattie
Substitutes: Pat McArthur, Ben Prescott, Opeta Palepoi, James Eddie, Ed Kalman, Sam Pinder, Richie Vernon, Mike Adamson, Max Evans, Bernardo Stortoni, Sean Marsden.

Referee: Martin Fox (RFU)

This article was posted on 7-Sep-2007, 16:00 by Hugh Barrow.