Glasgow patience pays off, as Edinburgh dig deep

GLASGOW scored five tries for a bonus-point win as they saw off Zebre 36-8.

The home side had to wait to cut loose, though, after being restricted to a two-point 10-8 lead at the break.

Huw Jones scored an early try, converted by Adam Hastings — who also slotted over a penalty — but the visitors stayed in touch thanks to Apisai Tauyavuca’s try and Marcello Violi’s penalty.

The game turned, though, as Zebre’s Johannes Meyer was sinbinned on 52 minutes and home tries flowed from George Turner, Greg Peterson (right) and George and Pete Horne.

Hastings was faultless with the boot barring the final conversion of the night.

Glasgow made a fine start, scoring after six minutes. Hastings made a 50m run and fed Jones who did the rest, before Zebre took over.

Penalties allowed them to play in Glasgow’s half and 35 minutes in Tauyavuca got over the line.

Hastings and Violi traded penalties and the sides went in at the break with Glasgow 10-8 up.

From the restart, Zebre again controlled possession but in the 52nd minute flanker Meyer was sin-binned for a high tackle on Chris Fusaro.

Glasgow looked to take advantage and their upturn brought about a try as Turner crashed in off a lineout, with Hastings then slotting the extras from wide out.

The pressure was maintained and Peterson went in from 15m out and, from the restart, George Horne was sent in for the bonus-point try.

There was still time for Peter Horne to add a further score.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh extended their unbeaten home run to three Guinness PRO14 matches with a hard-fought 37-21 victory over the Cheetahs.

Late tries from Viliame Mata and Jamie Ritchie sealed victory at BT Murrayfield but it was a laboured effort.

First-half tries by Ben Toolis and Darcy Graham, plus a flawless kicking contribution by Simon Hickey, handed the home side a 20-7 half-time lead.

The Cheetahs responded through converted scores from Nico Lee and Rabz Maxwane (two) but Edinburgh finished the stronger and Mata and Ritchie ensured the points would be staying in Scotland. The hosts took the lead when an early onslaught produced a penalty inside the opposition 22 and Hickey stroked over.

The New Zealand-born fly-half doubled the advantage with a second penalty and they extended it further with the opening try in the 21st minute as Toolis picked up and dived over. Hickey converted.

But Cheetahs hit back through Lee and Tian Schoeman added the extra two points.

Edinburgh finished the half with a final attack that paid off when Graham touched down. Hickey’s conversion sent the hosts in with a 13-point lead.

The Cheetahs trimmed the deficit when Maxwane crashed through. Schoeman’s conversion left the gap at six points.

And the fight back was complete five minutes later when Maxwane crossed for a second time. Schoeman again converted and Cheetahs were ahead for the first time at 21-20.

It did not last long, though, with Hickey kicking his third penalty before that late raft of tries.

Weekend results/fixtures

Last night: Edinburgh 37 Cheetahs 21, Glasgow 36 Zebre 8, Ulster 15 Connacht 22. Today: Scarlets v Ospreys (3pm), Dragons v Cardiff (5.15pm), Leinster v Munster (6pm), Benetton Treviso v Southern Kings (7pm).