THE HERALD REPORTS

Glasgow Warriors 15 - 12 Leinster Guts and grim determination saw Glasgow Warriors end their three match losing streak by out-battling the reigning champions to move into the Magners League's top three at Firhill last night.

On a night when a wild wind made conditions exceedingly difficult, the hosts' greater desperation made the vital difference.

"That was about team spirit, commitment, determination and pride," Sean Lineen, their coach, said. "I thought the guys showed a lot of character. The defence was outstanding."


While delighted with all his players' performances Lineen identified a number of key individuals. Max Evans, he noted, was excellent in attack in the first half and defence in the second, Dan Parks' goal-kicking was exemplary in testing conditions as he registered five successes from six shots at goal, Kelly Brown impressed and Eric Milligan, called in on Friday when Dougie Hall took ill, demonstrated the squad's improving depth.

However, above all he singled out John Barclay who, said his coach, was "on another level."

Both sides had problems dealing with the aerial ball in the early stages, but scoring was confined to a penalty apiece by the Magners League's two leading goal-kickers Parks and Felipe Contepomi, both from in front of the posts.

It looked like the hosts had made the first breakthrough when Max Evans' elusiveness created just enough space for Lome Fa'atau to squeeze clear on the right. With the defence opened up, the return pass looked to have put the centre in but referee Gwyn Morris decided that the first pass was forward.

The Warriors pack picked up where they left off when taking the game to Toulouse a week earlier. Their vigour meant that they were having the better of things at the breakdown against their more powerful opponents.

Their backs, the older Evans in particular, also looked eager, but Leinster were just about holding on and managed to confine further scoring in the first half hour to two more Parks penalties.

When Leinster provided him with yet another chance as they killed the ball in their 22, he again took advantage and this time the referee's patience snapped as he sin-binned Jamie Heaslip for persistent infringement.

Turning to face the worst of the swirling wind and up against a full XV once more, the Warriors, whose captain Al Kellock had departed at half-time because of a head knock that had given him double vision, were pinned back in the early stages of the second half and saw their lead reduced by a second Contepomi penalty.

Leinster now looked to have more of the momentum and earned their Argentinian centre another long range chance midway through the half, which he took to get his side within three points.

His successful strike was immediately followed by the worrying sight for the national selectors of Graeme Morrison having to be helped from the pitch with a damaged knee. He appeared to have recovered from injury after a lengthy bout of treatment before the penalty was taken, but before the re-start it was clear he was still in serious trouble.

With the game in the balance the Warriors worked their back within range and once again Leinster's discipline them down at the breakdown allowing Parks to re-establish a six point cushion.

It had turned into a kicking duel and when John Beattie charged through a ruck illegally under his own posts Contepomi struck once more, but that proved to be the final score as the Warriors collectively held their nerve.

This article was originally posted on 25-Oct-2008, 07:50 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 25-Oct-2008, 07:53.