Glasgow back in top four

Glasgow 27 Newport Gwent Dragons 19

Glasgow claimed their first win in six games in all competitions to force their way back into the Magners League top four ahead of the end of season play-offs.

Bernardo Stortoni, DTH van der Merwe and Colin Shaw scored tries for the Warriors, with Dan Parks kicking four penalties.

Jason Tovey kicked 12 points for the Newport Gwent Dragons, who fought to the end, with Will Harries scoring a late converted try, but just failed to earn a bonus point which would have aided their own thrust towards the top four.

The Glasgow pack played a big part in depriving the Welsh side of possession.

But Glasgow’s famous ’Killer Bs’ back row was disrupted very close to kick-off when a sickness bug forced the withdrawal of open side John Barclay.

Kelly Brown changed flanks on the scrum and Scotland A cap James Eddie came into the starting XV with an opportunity to make his case for a permanent start next season when Brown moves to Saracens.

Eddie, though, lasted only nine minutes. In a crisp Glasgow start he put in a big carry but injured his right ankle and Richie Vernon was called off the bench.

Glasgow had already taken a fourth-minute lead. Graeme Morrison powered through midfield, play moved up the left wing and when it was switched right, full-back Stortoni found a gap for the game’s opening try. Parks failed to convert.

Dragons responded and with two penalties from Tovey in as many minutes and led by one point after 16 minutes.

Glasgow retook the lead after 21 minutes.

A crash tackle on halfway by Max Evans bounced the ball off his knee and left wing Van Der Merwe hacked long and won the chase to touch down. Parks again missed the conversion.

Although Tovey kicked his third penalty, Glasgow closed the half strongly and earned a 16-9 lead as Parks kicked two penalties of his own following prolonged pressure on the visitors’ line.

Four minutes into the second half Dragons centre Matthew Watkins was sin-binned for a high tackle on Evans and Parks kicked the simple penalty.

Scrappy handling from both sides allowed pressure on each line but neither side could take advantage.

So it was left to Parks to ease Glasgow further ahead after 63 minutes with Tovey replying in kind three minutes later.

With nine minutes remaining, Evans kicked to the Dragons line and winger Shaw pounced for an unconverted try.

But instead of going for the fourth and bonus try, Glasgow were put on the back foot and in the final minutes Harries scored the sole Dragons try with substitute James Arlidge converting.