Newport 17-26 Glasgow: Warriors back in winning groove
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 30/09/16 11:12pm
Glasgow got back on track in the Guinness PRO12 after overcoming a determined Newport Gwent Dragons side 26-17 at Rodney Parade on Friday night.
The Scots took the spoils in Newport thanks to tries by front-row forwards Corey Flynn and Alex Allan but had to repel a spirited comeback from the hosts.
The Dragons trailed 16-3 at the break but fired back through prop Sam Hobbs and centre Jack Dixon only for the key score to come through Allan with half an hour left.
Both teams went into the game seeking to avoid a hat-trick of defeats, the Dragons having lost to Munster and Treviso while the Warriors had been beaten by the unbeaten pair of Cardiff Blues and Ulster.
They do, however, operate at opposite ends of the table, with the hosts looking for a big scalp and Glasgow needing to get their title tilt back on course.
Glasgow had the better of the opening exchanges but had to settle for a pair of Finn Russell penalties.
However, they took command on the half hour when a driving lineout ended with former All Black Flynn peeling off and powering over.
The Dragons were given an opening when Glasgow flanker Fraser Brown was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle with Nick Macleod getting the hosts on the scoreboard.
However, they allowed Russell to swiftly respond for the visitors and it was the Warriors who ended the half on the front foot before settling for a 16-3 lead.
The Dragons desperately needed a fast start to the second half and they got just that to lead 17-16 with 49 minutes gone.
First Hobbs powered over from close range and then a turnover ended with Dixon finishing superbly in the left corner.
Macleod's pair of conversions meant that the Warriors were behind and in need of a response, which they got through the unlikely source of prop Allan after he showed neat footwork to dance over from 20 metres for a score that Russell converted.
At 23-17, it was still very much game on as the hour passed with the Warriors defending stoutly to retain their slender advantage.
However, they secured victory with just over a minute left through the right boot of Russell with his penalty also denying the Dragons a deserved losing bonus point.
