Scarlets hold off Glasgow

Morgan Stoddart: two tries

Glasgow and Scarlets produced a late-season thriller at Firhill but it was the visitors who ultimately came out on top.

Full-back Morgan Stoddart scored two tries for Scarlets, with further scores from Ben Morgan, Lou Reed and Tavis Knoyle and 12 points from the boot of Stephen Jones just enough to hold Glasgow at bay.

DTH van der Merwe touched down twice and Tom Ryder once for the hosts, while Ruaridh Jackson kicked 14 points.

Both Glasgow wingers looked lively in the opening exchanges, and a break from Hefin O'Hare down the right-hand touchline led to the game's first score, Jackson knocking over a penalty after the Scarlets were adjudged to be offside at the ensuing breakdown.

Jackson was soon on the scoreboard again, his eighth-minute penalty following another infringement at the ruck giving the hosts a 6-0 advantage.

Scarlets took the lead in the 15th minute from their first real attack.

Centre Gareth Maule bounced off an attempted tackle from Van der Merwe before feeding Stoddart, who dived over for a score converted by Jones.

The lead was shortlived, though, as Van der Merwe made up for his earlier mistake by crossing for a score. The Canadian made ground after a strong break from midfield and linked up with O'Hare before taking the return pass and squeezing over.

Tempers were becoming frayed and a scuffle between Cusiter and Scarlets lock Lou Reed developed into a melee involving players from both sides, with Cusiter and opposing captain Matthew Reed getting embroiled in a wrestling match.

Matthew Reed was sent to the sin-bin for his part, but Jackson was unable to convert the penalty that followed.

Jackson failed with a further penalty attempt, before Scarlets claimed a second score on the stroke of half-time.

With decoy runners and blockers causing havoc in the home defence, the Scarlets developed an overlap which Stoddart expertly exploited, bursting through the final tackle to crash over.

Ideal fashion

The second half began in ideal fashion for the hosts, Van der Merwe capitalising on a turnover in midfield and some strong running from the impressive James Eddie to go over in the corner, evading a last-ditch tackle from the covering Stoddart.

Jackson added the conversion from the touchline but the scores were quickly level again as two Jones penalties cancelled out the Warriors' advantage, the latter resulting from a cynical trip from Moray Low which saw the Scotland prop yellow-carded.

Glasgow soon edged in front once again courtesy of a Jackson penalty, but a strong forward drive from the Scarlets only moments later allowed number eight Morgan to batter his way over the line.

With their full compliment restored thanks to Low's return, the home side were able to reassert themselves at the breakdown to great effect, the Scarlets conceding a penalty in midfield which Jackson duly sent over.

But the visitors again came back, regaining their own kick-off and sparking a forward drive which culminated in Reed crashing over from close range, with Jones converting.

Scrum-half Knoyle then touched down late on for a converted score to give the Scarlets some breathing space.

Ryder's try gave Glasgow a glimmer of hope, but replacement fly-half Duncan Weir was unable to knock over the conversion and get the hosts to within a score.