Glasgow scrap way to victory as Lousi costs Welsh
Wilson relieved to pick up the points as visitors rally to make life difficult
AFIRST victory of the season is grounds for satisfaction, but not celebration given how hard Warriors made life for themselves during the final 20 minutes, when they were 20 points up and playing against 14- men following the redcarding of Scarlets second- row Sam Lousi for a high tackle on Ratu Tagive.
Rather than kicking- on for a bonus point, they found themselves pinned back deep inside their own half for large chunks of that final quarter, and lost two players in Richie Gray and Nick Grigg to the sin- bin to scupper any realistic possibility of finishing the game with a flourish.
“For 55 to 60 minutes, I thought we were dominant and stuck to the game plan very well,” said Warriors head coach Danny Wilson.
“We managed the game, got set- piece dominance and most aspects were functioning well, and I think we probably left a couple of scores out there, but then maybe our discipline slipped back for the last 20 minutes and allowed Scarlets to get back in the game.
“It’s a really good win, an important win. Scarlets had a lot of Lions and internationals, although I know we were full of internationals as well. As a team our defence was really good in terms of collision, and I thought our 9 and 10 were outstanding in terms of game management. I’m pleased overall, but we still have a lot to do on discipline.”
Warriors set their stall out early with Rob Harley getting up to disrupt a second- minute line- out, and Fraser Brown winning a penalty over the ball in the middle of the park not long later, but Scarlets were equally intransigent which led to both sides struggling to build any sort of continuity
Adam Hastings had three penalty opportunities during the first half from fairly similar positions – about
35- yards out and just to the left of the posts – but was successful with only one. In fairness to the Warriors stand- off, Leigh Halfpenny – arguably the most consistent kicker in world rugby – also missed with his solitary shot at goal just before the break.
Warriors also had a first- half try scored by loose- head prop Oli Kebble following a good break up the left touchline by Tagive, which meant it was 8- 0 at the turnaround.
Scarlets were reduced to 14 men after just two minutes of the second half when Lousi’s shoulder made contact with
Tagive’s chin, and Warriors initially made a pretty decent fist of making their extra man count, with Ryan Wilson piling over the whitewash a few minutes later to set up an easy Hastings conversion.
If the watching Gregor Townsend and his fellow national team coaches were encouraged by the grittiness Warriors were showing up to this point, they will have been concerned to see Scarlets flanker Blade Thomson – who is expected to be named in Scotland’s training squad today – retiring with an apparent arm injury during the lead- up to that try.
When the eight Warriors forwards overpowered the seven Scarlets forwards to win a scrum penalty 10 yards in from the right touchline with 50 minutes played, Hastings opted to take the three points on offer rather than kick to the corner and go for the try, which would have left them just one more try short of the bonus point.
The kick at goal was successful, but it felt like a turning point against the Warriors.
Perhaps sensing that they had just been given a stay of execution, Scarlets rallied, and snatched themselves a foothold in the match when tight- head prop Sansom Lee picked up at the base of a ruck close to the Warriors line and caught Harley with a dummy before burrowing over.
An outside beak from Hastings put Warriors briefly back on the front foot, but Scarlets now had the bit between their teeth, and with Gray ( offside on his own line) and Grigg ( high tackle) disappearing off to the naughty step, it was getting a bit too close for comfort for the home team.
But to their credit, Warriors dug deep in defence and after a Tommy Seymour and Niko Matawalu combination managed to squeeze Steff Evans out in the corner, Hastings stepped up to activate the pressure- release valve with an interception five yards from his own line, followed by a 60- yards clearance down field.
I’m pleased overall but we still have a lot to do on discipline