Townsend laments another narrow loss

GLASGOWWARRIORS coach Gregor Townsend admitted his side must learn how to turn narrow defeats into victories if they are to succeed in the Heineken Cup, following a 10-8 loss at Castres yesterday.

Ruaridh Jackson narrowly missed the chance to win the game when his late penalty bounced back off the posts and left the Warriors winless from four games in Pool Four.

That record fails to tell the complete tale of their campaign so far, however, following tight matches already against Northampton and now Castres both home and away.

The Warriors had led 8-3 at half-time yesterday but Townsend was left lamenting his side’s inability to hold on to the advantages they have gained in Europe this term.

“We have had two close games against Castres and we need to put those nearly wins into victories,” he said.

“We expected a tough match. Castres are fourth in the French league and have an excellent home record and I think that is seven wins in a row they have put together.”

Warriors paid the price for ill-discipline as Tom Ryder, who this week signed a new contract to keep him at the club until 2015, and Byron McGuigan were both sent to the sin bin before Yannick Caballero scored the match-winning try.

With three big matches against Edinburgh — home and away — and Treviso to come in the next two weeks Townsend’s men will look for a quick recovery as they seek a play-off spot in the RaboDirect Pro12.

Gregor Townsend: expected tough match.