Glasgow grind out narrow URC win over Connacht

United Rugby Championship

Glasgow Warriors (17) 22

Tries: Cancelliere 2, Afshar Cons: Weir 2 Pens: Weir

Connacht (5) 19

Glasgow strengthened their grip on second place in the United Rugby Championship table by grinding out victory over a resolute Connacht at Scotstoun.

David Hawkshaw and Sebastian Cancelliere scored the first try for the Irish team before the Warriors responded with tries from Sebastian Cancelliere and Ben Ashfar to take the lead 17-5 at the break.

In the second half, Glasgow held firm to win, despite Piers O’Conor scoring late for the visitors after Hawkshaw and Cancelliere exchanged scores.

Franco Smith’s side are now seven points clear of third-placed Bulls after two games in excess of the South African outfit.

A lack of cohesion was evident for lengthy periods of what was a scrappy contest in challenging circumstances because both teams were depleted of a sizable number of international matches before the Six Nations kicked off next weekend.

Duncan Weir was serving as the Glasgow side’s captain for the first time when the fly-half slammed over a penalty to start the Warriors.

However, Connacht were dominant in the opening period and were pleased when Hawkshaw deflected Ollie Smith’s attempted clearance kick before gathering to score.

With a powerful burst from Henco Venter, Cancelliere burst wide to head over for Glasgow’s first try after the ball was whipped wide.

Before a majestic show-and-go from prop Fin Richardson saw him slam through the Connacht defense before offloading to Alex Samuel, who sent Ashfar sprinting free to the try line, the game slowed down without much happening.

At the break, Glasgow had a 12-12 lead, but Connacht struck early in the second half, sending Hawkshaw away for his second try of the match.

The Irish side now had a chance to reduce the deficit by two points after playing into a strong breeze in the first half, but JJ Hanrahan’s penalty attempt did so on its own.

With their third attempt, the Warriors gave themselves some breathing room. Before Cancelliere found himself in the right place at the right moment again, Cancelliere found himself dotting down, strong carries from Smith and Jack Mann propelled Glasgow to the edge of the Connacht line.

Replacements: Stewart, McBeth, Talakai, Duncan, Roberts, Fraser, Kennedy, Johnston.

Connacht: Cordero, Mullins, O’Conor, Hawkshaw, Ralston, Hanrahan, Blade, Dooley, Heffernan, Aungier, O’Connor, Joyce, Murphy, Hurley-Langton, Jansen.

Replacements: Tierney-Martin, Duggan, Illo, Dowling, Boyle, Devine, Carty, Treacy.