RaboDirect PRO12: Glasgow retain 1872 Cup with narrow win over Edinburgh
Glasgow claimed bragging rights over Edinburgh for the second time in eight days with a 21-17 victory at Murrayfield.
Last Updated: 29/12/12 7:10pm
Edinburgh left themselves too much work to do after tries from Sean Maitland, Ruaridh Jackson and Henry Pyrgos had seen Glasgow surge 21-3 ahead with just over 20 minutes remaining.
The hosts hit back through tries from Roddie Grant and Tim Visser however Glasgow held on to claim their second RaboDirect PRO12 win over Edinburgh in the space of eight days.
Only a win for the hosts by 10 points or more would prise the trophy from Glasgow following the 23-14 first-leg loss at Scotstoun, but that contest ended early on as the Warriors forwards bullied their counterparts in the first half and the hosts' game was riddled with errors.
The visitors won a penalty at the first scrum and forward momentum ensued. Jackson received quickly recycled ball, drew his man and Maitland, on a good line, crashed over. Jackson missed the conversion.
Greig Laidlaw kicked a penalty following a late aerial challenge by Stuart Hogg on Greig Tonks, before Peter Horne was sin-binned for a tip-tackle on Matt Scott, who had not even received the ball.
Captain Laidlaw's attempt to spark Edinburgh with a quick-tap then backfired as fly-half Piers Francis' pop-pass towards Netani Talei was intercepted by Jackson, who had enough pace to hold off Tonks and score in the left corner. Horne's conversion attempt hit the post.
Hooker Dougie Hall had a try curiously disallowed before Horne kicked two penalties to give the visitors a healthy half-time lead; their advantage in the 1872 Cup contest a near-unassailable 22 points.
Glasgow resumed on the attack and Van der Merwe was denied by the television match official before Edinburgh prop Allan Jacobsen was sin-binned for playing the ball on the floor.
Pyrgos dropped over for Glasgow's third try immediately but Horne again missed the conversion before Edinburgh claimed a lifeline entering the final quarter when Grant powered to the line and Laidlaw converted.
Glasgow missed out on a bonus point when Stuart Hogg dropped the ball over the try-line before Visser scored a late try to reduce Edinburgh's final margin of defeat.