Glasgow defeat Ospreys with second half display
Glasgow Warriors defeated the Ospreys 31-23 in the Magners League at Firhill on Sunday 24 October.
The Scottish side came from behind to beat the Ospreys who were missing a number of key players. Welsh coach Warren Gatland had asked for five players called up to the Welsh national squad from the side
not to play, under the 13-day rule.
Richie Gray, Richie Vernon and Kevin Tkachuk scored the crucial tries for the home side who put on a fantastic display in the second half.
Nikki Walker was one of the few Ospreys players to emerge from the game with any credit. The Scottish winger managed to score three tries in the match, but still ended up on the losing side.
Walker scored the opening try of the game as he brushed aside a Glasgow defender before diving over the line.
The winger recorded his second try as he handed off the Glasgow defence and his pace and strength saw him crash over after a good Ospreys build up.
Glasgow should have scored a try of their own, but Bernardo Stortoni knocked on the ball when a simple catch would have meant he could have scampered over the line.
Gray did manage to take a pass after Glasgow produced a good try having gone through a few phases of play. The forward skipped past a number of tackles before he showed a great turn of pace to reach the
try line.
Glasgow out-half Ruaridh Jackson scored two penalties, but his opposite number Dan Biggar replied with two of his own to give the Ospreys a 16-11 lead at half-time.
However, the second half was a complete contrast to the first. The end to end action did not materialise and instead the Scottish side dominated the Ospreys in every facet of the game.
Alastair Muldowney was held up on the line by some desperate Ospreys defending. The pressure was relentless on the Welsh team and a penalty allowed Jackson to close the gap to two points.
Duncan Weir replaced Jackson shortly after and his penalty put the home side into a one point lead.
Vernon pushed over for his try and the player could have added another, but was stopped just short of the lien. Stortoni nearly scored a try as he bundled his way through the Ospreys defence, but like
Vernon he could not force his way over the line.
Glasgow continued to pile on the pressure and it was no surprise when substitute Tkachuck scored a late try against a tired Ospreys who had defended deep in their own territory for most of the second half.
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