1
Tom Gordon scores twice as Glasgow claim 1872 Cup victory over Edinburgh
By PA
Glasgow flanker Tom Gordon scored a double before limping off as Warriors beat Edinburgh 30-17 at Scotstoun.
Gordon twice put Warriors in front before Glen Young and Boan Venter responded.
The crucial moment proved to be a breakaway try from Josh McKay in the 56th minute which saw the home side go on to dominate and move into third place in the United Rugby Championship, as well as taking the lead in the 1872 Cup and strengthening their grip on the Scottish/Italian Shield.
With a total of 15 players from the two sides in Scotland’s 23-man squad for the final Guinness Six Nations clash against Ireland, there was a different feel to the derby, which was rearranged after a Covid-19 outbreak in the Warriors camp put paid to the festive double header.
Both teams were locked on 39 points before the game and were evenly matched until McKay’s try.
Glasgow went for the jugular from the start and might have scored even earlier than their ninth-minute opener.
A stolen line-out and a deliberate knock-on from Edinburgh winger Emiliano Boffelli, who escaped a yellow card, held up Warriors before the combined efforts of Henry Immelman and Matt Currie stopped Cole Forbes going over in the corner.
The breakthrough came from some close-range pressure when Gordon wriggled over.
Glasgow’s failure to deal with Edinburgh’s kick-off ensured they could not build on their lead, which had been extended by Duncan Weir’s conversion. Jack Dempsey let the ball bounce and McKay’s kick was charged down behind the try line, and Young converted the resulting pressure in the 14th minute despite Johnny Matthews’ efforts to hold the ball up.
Warriors got back on top, although they had to be smart to stop Henry Pyrgos scoring on a counter-attack, and it was a mistake from the visitors that led to the third try of the game in the 29th minute.
Jaco Van Der Walt’s kick was flat and short and straight into the hands of Sebastian Cancelliere. The winger fed Stafford McDowall, who set up Gordon to go over after a dummy.
Edinburgh responded well again and McKay did well to hold up Matt Currie after the centre burst through the lines. Edinburgh cut the gap through Boffelli’s penalty, but Weir restored the hosts’ seven-point lead just before the interval.
Edinburgh re-started strongly and benefited from a second penalty in quick succession when Venter went over. Boffelli levelled the scores.
The game turned on Cancelliere picking up a loose ball inside his own half as Edinburgh attacked. The Argentinian winger drove forward and infield knowing that McKay was overlapping and his no-look pass left three Edinburgh players exposed as the full-back ran up the right wing to cross.
Warriors got some more control of the game, with substitute Ross Thompson’s kicking adding eight further points as well as keeping Edinburgh on the back foot.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
South Africa vs England player ratings | 2024 Autumn Nations Series
3
Ireland player ratings vs Argentina | 2024 Autumn Nations Series
4
Jake White: As England coach, I’d have been livid
5
Latest Comments
We beat Wales. Oh wow.
Go to commentsAs has been the way all year, and for all England's play I can remember. I missed a lot of the better years under Eddie though.
Lets have a look at the LQB for the last few games... 41% under 3 sec compared to 56% last week, 47% in the game you felt England best in against NZ, and 56 against Ireland.
That was my impression as well. Dunno if that is a lack of good counterattack ball from the D, forward dominance (Post Contact Meters stats reversed yesterday compared to that fast Ireland game), or some Borthwick scheme, but I think that has been highlighted as Englands best point of difference this year with their attack, more particularly how they target using it in certain areas. So depending on how you look at it, not necessarily the individual players.
You seem to be falling into the same trap as NZs supporters when it comes to Damien McKenzie. That play you highlight Slade in wasn't one of those LQB situations from memory, that was all on the brilliance of Smith. Sure, Slade did his job in that situation, but Smith far exceeded his (though I understand it was a move Sleightholme was calling for). But yeah, it's not always going to be on a platter from your 10 and NZ have been missing that Slade line, in your example, more often than not too. When you go back to Furbank and Feyi-Waboso returns you'll have that threat again. Just need to generate that ball, wait for some of these next Gen forwards to come through etc, the props and injured 6 coming back to the bench. I don't think you can put Earl back to 7, unless he spends the next two years speeding up (which might be good for him because he's getting beat by speed like he's not used to not having his own speed to react anymore).
Go to comments