Glasgow battle back with a stunning Euro showing
Glasgow yesterday produced one of their bestever Euro performances to boost their quest to earn a ticket to the Champions Cup knock-out stages.
Dave Rennie’s wonderful Warriors surged back from a shaky first half to stun the French title contenders in their own back yard.
And last night, Rennie hailed his side’s team spirit.
He said: “It was a terrific collective display and I am very proud of the boys.
“We were under a lot of pressure in the first half and gave away too many penalties, but the try from Callum Gibbins just before half time was so important.
“It gave us real belief and we grew in stature as the match wenton.
“Niko Matawalu and Kyle Steyn finished superbly for the two other scores, while the accurate goalkicking of Adam Hastings was also vital.”
They had been handed an instant chance to break the deadlock when the hosts were guilty of illegal entry to a ruck.
And Adam Hastings obliged with a confident strike from 35 metres out.
But it sparked La Rochelle into attacking mode and they took full advantage of hesitation in the Glasgow back ranks, by creating a route-one try for prop Dany Priso, goaled by Jules Plisson.
The bulk and strength of the French pack kept the Warriors under pressure in their own territory.
They spurned a penalty opportunity from close quarters in a bid to grab another touchdown, but the gamble failed as Glasgow scrambled clear.
However, Plisson quickly added to their tally from a tricky angle in the 17th minute.
Warriors continued to give away needless penalties in dangerous areas.
And dead-eye Plisson was bang on target again midway through the half.
Having been under the cosh for such a long spell, there was some relief when Hastings followed suit at the other end.
But disaster struck in the build-up to the interval as they made a hash of a lineout clearance – allowing Zeno Kieft to pounce for a gift score.
There was still time, however, for Warriors to bounce back with a superb forward move to set up a touchdown for skipper Callum Gibbins, converted by Hastings.
La Rochelle again looked the hungrier outfit after the restart and their efforts were rewarded with another Plisson penalty. Then in a dramatic twist, Glasgow slashed the leeway to a single point.
The home brigade looked set to score, only for Niko Matawalu to nip in and intercept a pass before scuttling 80 metres to the line.
Hastings defied the odds to convert from the sideline, with Plisson repairing some of the damage with his fourth penalty.
The frantic action continued with Scott Cummings being blocked inches short of the line.
Then sub Kyle Steyn exploded into the contest with another remarkable Glasgow counter.
Hastings unleashed the perfect lob for the winger to latch on to the ball and race over to give his team the lead–the former keeping up his marksmanship record with 15 minutes left.
And the Warriors dug deep when it mattered to complete a famous success.