Glasgow see off Scarlets

Ruaridh Jackson: Glasgow fly-half led the way with 14 points

Glasgow rose to third in the RaboDirect PRO12 table after a 19-9 win over Scarlets in an uninspiring encounter at Firhill Stadium.

Fly-half Ruaridh Jackson notched 14 points, supplementing a sole try from prop Jon Welsh, while Scarlets countered through nine points from the boot of Dan Newton.

The Welsh side's efforts proved in vain however as the Warriors emerged victorious in front of a typically vocal home support.

Despite the hosts making a strong start, it was the Scarlets' Newton who was handed the game's first scoring chance, when the Glasgow pack was penalised for not rolling away.

The full-back squandered the opportunity, sending his effort wide of the uprights.

There was no doubt that the Warriors' backline showed better promise, the centre pairing of Graeme Morrison and Troy Nathan looking particularly threatening, with Samoan winger David Lemi also looking particularly lively.

Jackson, making his first start since the turn of the year, missed an early penalty chance but made amends minutes later when his lightning break provided the Warriors' with prime field position in the opposition 22.

Possession was squandered though and the move petered out, but Scarlets' indiscipline at the ensuing breakdown gave Jackson a further penalty opportunity which he duly stroked over to give his side the lead.

The visitors were rewarded for a brief foray into Glasgow territory when Newton converted a straightforward penalty effort after Jackson was punished for holding onto the ball on the deck, but normal service soon resumed as the hosts dominated possession without creating any clear chances.

Chaos

Lemi appeared most likely to buck that trend, his chip through causing chaos in the visitors' defensive ranks, but a fantastic cover tackle from scrum-half Gareth Davies averted the danger, albeit carrying the ball across his own line in the process.

From the resulting scrum, Jon Welsh powered over for the game's only try, Jackson adding the extras.

Jackson missed with a penalty effort late in the first half, but atoned for his inaccuracy with a similar attempt early in the second, stretching the hosts' advantage to 10 points.

The deficit was reduced only moments later when Newton banged over a penalty from close range, before adding another penalty on the hour as the home rearguard began to waver.

But two further Jackson penalties put the result beyond doubt, as the game drew to a rather drab conclusion - both sides clearly missing the stars who are away on international duty.