ADAM: WE BLUE THEM AWAY
RUGBY CHAMPIONS CUP CARDIFF ..... 12 GLASGOW ..... 29 POOL THREE
ADAM HASTINGS hailed Glasgow’s lightning start that stunned Cardiff Blues as the Warriors triumphed in Wales.
The fly-half, named man of the match thanks to his 14-point haul, reckons the quickfire scores helped get his side into their stride before their defence stood firm to help claim the glory.
Hastings said: “Last week we left it too late to have a crack at Saracens and paid the price.
“We made up our minds to go full pelt from the start against Cardiff and we got it right with some early tries.
“The Blues are a very strong side and after that we had to defend like mad. They kept coming at us and we kept knocking them back at crucial moments.
“We are now in realistic contention to get out of our group and if we continue to play like this in the two matches against Lyon we will be in with a shout.”
Dave Rennie’s side had to win at the Arms Park to preserve any chance of reaching the Champions Cup quarter-finals.
And they produced one of their best away showings in the tournament to pocket the bonus point.
Glasgow couldn’t have dreamed of a better start as they went ahead after 90 seconds as Hastings darted over from close range.
Even better was to come in the fourth minute when they created another top try.
Huw Jones made the initial break before sending Dan van der Merwe cruising through. Hastings added the simple conversion.
Shellshocked Cardiff hit back with a series of raids and only frantic defending prevented them from repairing some of the damage immediately.
But it was the Warriors SARACENS GLASGOW CARDIFF LYON who were handed the next opportunity with a 50-metre penalty that Hastings confidently banged over.
Glasgow’s start to the second half was almost as spectacular as the first.
Van der Merwe hurtled through a midfield gap to create the time and space for Ali Price to go over for the third touchdown, Hastings adding the extras.
With a 22-point cushion the Warriors turned their attention to claiming the precious bonus point. But it was Cardiff who scored next with a chip-chase try for Aled Summerhill.
Gareth Anscombe’s wide angled conversion drifted wide of the near post but P W D L PD BNS PT 2 2 0 0 29 1 9 2 1 0 1 7 1 5 2 1 0 1 -8 0 4 2 0 0 2 -28 0 0 there was a fresh spring in their step and they began to look a real threat.
Glasgow boss Rennie sent on the Horne brothers, Pete and George, in a bid to seize back control.
RODDY DUNCAN AT CARDIFF ARMS PARK
And another piece of magic by Hastings sealed Cardiff ’s fate.
His clever side-footed grubber kick bounced perfectly for Jonny Gray to finish in style.
Hastings found the target to take his points tally to 14 as the Warriors completed a golden weekend for Scotland’s sides on the European stage.
Cardiff, however, had the final word with Summerhill notching his double.