Glasgow 20-16 Edinburgh: Warriors strike first blow in 1872 Cup series
Glasgow Warriors took the early advantage in this year’s 1872 Cup after beating Scottish rivals Edinburgh in a match which exploded into end-to-end life late on after what had been a tetchy, edgy affair.
A total of five from either side were yellow-carded as Glasgow’s Ruaridh Jackson and George Turner were sent to bin by referee Ben Blain, alongside the Edinburgh trio of Bill Mata, Stuart McInally and Nic Groom.
What had been a low scoring and hard-fought battle suddenly became a ding-dong festive cracker as Ali Price and Blair Kinghorn exchange tries before Turner finished off a maul to win it for Dave Rennie’s side right at the end.
It means Glasow can win back the three-match 1872 Cup from Richard Cockerill’s men if they back up at BT Murrayfield next Saturday afternoon.
It also scored the Warriors some vital Guinness Pro14 points after losing four of their matches in the competition so far.
In fresh but much milder conditions than beset last Saturday evening’ European defeat to La Rochelle, the opening exchanges were as nip and tuck as you would expect from a derby clash which means so much to the players.
Club and city pride kicks in but also, for many of those involved, in front of watching Scotland coach Gregor Townsend there is a chance to get one over on rivals and stake claims for Six Nations which is fast approaching.
Lineouts dominated the opening quarter, with a flurry of penalties called for technical offences by rookie referee Blain, who hails from Carlisle but is being nurtured in the Scottish system.
Adam Hastings drew first blood for the home side in the sixth minute before the even nature of the contest was fairly levelled up with three points from the boot of visiting stand-off Simon Hickey.
The most significant moment so far came close to the half-hour mark when livewire Edinburgh wing