Rusty Glasgow’s second half romp unstoppable

Warriors storm to eight-try bonus Pro 14 win

Glasgow Warriors duly recorded their 14th Guinness PRO14 win in 14 attempts over Zebre with eight tries and a halfcentury to start a crucial three-week spell on a real high.

The Italians showed some real resistance for 20 minutes of the first half but otherwise it was routine stuff for the Warriors, who need big bonus point wins if they are to maintain their play-off hopes.

The Scotstoun crowd were a little restless when the Italians took a 17-14 lead just before half-time, but Glasgow scored five tries to pull away before Zebre bothered the scoreboard again.

George Horne, back from Scotland bench duty, scored two tries to go to over 30 in less than three seasons for the Warriors, while new Fijian hooker Mesu Dolokotu scored two in 15 minutes.

There was a strong showing and a try for Matt Fagerson as he aims to get back in the Scotland squad after injury, while Pete Horne directed the side superbly from stand-off.

Dave Rennie wasn’t thrilled with that soft period in the first-half but after four weeks off the Warriors regained the momentum for a key spell in their season, with the Dragons and Leinster up in the next fortnight.

The Warriors poured forward in the opening 10 minutes to the tune of two blinding tries, but Zebre kept things interesting until half-time.

The first Warriors score was simplicity itself, Nick Grigg speeding through a gap in midfield, and inevitably George Horne was on his inside shoulder to nip through for the score.

Straight from the restart the Warriors worked 16 phases, moving from their own 22 to Zebre’s in relentless style, Matt Fagerson finally bashing through tackles to score.

Pete Horne’s two conversions stretched Glasgow to 14-0, but Zebre came storming back.

Prop Daniele Rimpelli reached out at the end of a maul near the line for their first try, converted by Michelangelo Biondelli, who added a penalty before limping off for Marcello Violi.

The new man had an instant impact finishing Horne-style after full-back Junior Laloifi had made the break, and added the extra two for good measure as Zebre took the lead.

But on the brink of half-time it was the prolific Horne again who wriggled through a tackle off the back of a driving maul and stretched to get the try to take the Warriors 21-17 ahead with his brother’s conversion.

After the break and there was a try for debutant Mesu Dolokoto off a typically outrageous off-load from fellow Fijian Leone Nakarawa, quickly followed by DTH van der Merwe finishing off a Pete Horne cross kick for the fifth score.

A penalty try quickly followed as Laloifi used a high tackle to stop George Horne’s hat-trick.

His replacement Jamie Dobie made a thrilling 60-metre solo break which eventually led to Tom Gordon’s first score for the club from close range.

Pierre Bruno’s late try was some consolation for Zebre, but Glasgow went over the 50 points with Kyle Steyn’s long breakout and the diminutive Dolokoto was in support for his two-try debut.

Att: 6,500

Pictures: SNS. Glasgow’s George Horne breaks free on his way to scoring his first try last night.

Leone Nakawara and Rob Harley combine to halt an attack.