Warriors let victory slip As hosts storm back

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AN UNSTOPPABLE fightback by top seeds Lyon was just enough to deny Glasgow victory in this Challenge Cup quarter- final at the Stadium Matmut last night.

The Warriors were under the cosh for much of the game, but held a 14- point lead at one stage early in the second half thanks to some inspired counter- attacking rugby.

In the end, however, the ferocity of the French forwards and the quality of their bench combined to take Lyon through to a home semi-final next weekend against Wasps, conquerors of Edinburgh earlier in the day.

Glasgow went behind in the second minute to a Leo Berdeu penalty, but stunned their hosts when they hit back following a turnover deep in their own half. Jamie Bhatti began the move when he collected the loose ball, and Josh McKay carried the attack up the right wing then kicked ahead. The French defence failed to mop up, and, with Ali Price also up in support, McKay collected on the bounce and touched down. Ross Thompson added the conversion.

Berdeu narrowed the gap to a point with a 40- metre penalty, then Price thought he had grabbed a second try for his side when he chased a kick ahead into the in- goal area. However, after a replay referee Matt Carley ruled that his opposite number Baptiste Couilloud had got a hand on the ball first.

Two Thompson penalties gave Glasgow a seven-point lead as the break approached, but then Baptiste Couilloud hit back with a try from a quick tap penalty, with Berdeu converting to make it 13- 13.

Then, in an inspired end to the first half, Cole Forbes put Glasgow back in front with a try in the left corner after

excellent work by McKay and Johnny Matthews. Thompson converted to put his team 20- 13 up with the last kick of the half.

The Warriors began the second half on the front foot, too, but a good chance to extend their lead ended a few metres from the line when captain Ryan Wilson was penalised for obstructing the home defence.

They were soon back on the attack, though, and with half- an- hour to play they were awarded a penalty try when Lyon collapsed a line- out maul just short of their own line.

That made the lead 14 points, and to make things worse for Lyon, Berdeu was sent to the sin- bin for the offence. Bhatti was shown a yellow card just a minute later for going in at the side, just before a brilliant double hit by McKay and Rob Harley prevented a Lyon try.

Space opened up with both teams a man down, and with 25 minutes to go Lyon got a score back when Romain Taofifenua battered his way over the line. Jean-Marc Doussain converted and it was game on again.

Five minutes further on, winger Davit Niniashvili finished off in the corner after a lightning counter- attack to take Lyon to within t wo points. Berdeu was back out of the sin- bin, but his conversion attempt went wide.

The stand-off made no mistake 10 minutes from time, putting his team back in front with a penalty. With time running out Niniashvili made sure with his second try, and Berdeu converted.