Stunning Warriors are kings of Lyon
LYON 22 GLASGOW 42
Wonderful Warriors claimed one of their most-stunning Euro triumphs ever as they turned into Lyon tamers.
The bonus-point success has massively boosted their quest to reach the Champions Cup quarter-finals.
But first, they must produce an encore when they go into the return battle with the French outfit at Scotstoun next weekend.
Boss Dave Rennie warned his side the job is only half done.
He declared: “Any victory in France is a good victory. “And to come away with a bonus point is just the icing on the cake. However, we still have a huge amount of work in front of us if we are to make the knock out rounds.
“We must keep up the intensity and momentum when Lyon come to Scostoun next week.”
Glasgow’s early efforts were rewarded when Adam Hastings landed an easy penalty after the markers were lured offside.
Lyon quickly drew level through Jonathan Pelissie when Adam Ashe was guilty of lineout obstruction.
But Hastings instantly restored the advantage of the visitors with a 40-metre strike.
Warriors began to find some rhythm and they put together a patient sequence of phases in enemy territory – creating the time and space for George Horne to send Ashe crashing over.
Hastings added the extras. Back came the hosts, with pace and power, to grab a touchdown of their own from danger man Toby Arnold, goaled by Pelissie.
There was drama on the halfhour mark when a ruck clearout by Glasgow prop Oli Kebble was reviewed by the video ref.
But he heaved a sigh of relief when the official deemed the collision not worthy of a card.
Warriors earned a major boost just a minute before the break as George Horne pounced for their second score from close quarters. The boot of Hastings was accurate again to open up a 10-point gap.
Glasgow had to soak up heavy bombardment after the restart.
But another pinpoint penalty from Hastings provided further breathing space.
Lyon then charged back into the contest with a try by Noa Nakaitaci following a tap-andrun penalty.
However, a moment of magic got Warriors back on track.
A clever chip by Pete Horne sparked confusion in the home back ranks and in sped Stuart Hogg to claim the first touch.
Even better was to come as Huw Jones came off the bench to snap up the bonus point score after great work by Hastings.
Lyon refused to buckle and Charl Mcleod went over to give them fresh hope.
Hogg was narrowly wide with a penalty attempt from his own half – but they were home and dry as Ashe completed his try double two minutes from time.
And Hastings took his tally to 17 points.
Euro try-star Hamish Watson reckons Edinburgh will need to up their performance level to have any chance of completing the double over Newcastle.
Watson played a major part in the Gunners’ bonus-point 31-13 triumph over the injury-hit Falcons at Murrayfield.
The win enabled the capital crackers to leapfrog the Tynesiders to the top of their Heineken Cup pool.
But the Scotland flanker, who bagged the first of their four tries, insisted the same again won’t be good enough in next Sunday’s return tussle at Kingston Park.
Watson declared: “It was a great result for us at home, but we will need much more next weekend. They will have more of their front line guys in their line-up and they will come back hard at us.”