Warriors wear down Edinburgh
Glasgow came out on top in the Scottish Magners League derby, running in three tries to defeat Edinburgh 30-18 at Firhill.
Last Updated: 27/12/10 9:32pm
Glasgow came out on top in the Scottish Magners League derby as tries from DTH van der Merwe, Hefin O'Hare and Max Evans saw them defeat Edinburgh 30-18 at Firhill.
Edinburgh's David Blair kicked all of his side's points as he landed six penalties from six attempts, while Ruaridh Jackson finished with a 15-point haul for the Warriors.
The match proved to be a typically feisty derby affair as referee Andrew Macpherson sent Richie Gray and Ross Ford to the sin bin in the second half before handing out red cards to Glasgow replacement Chris Fusaro and Edinburgh lock Scott MacLeod following a mass brawl in the dying moments.
Glasgow made the better start but were punished for their early ill-discipline as Blair knocked over two penalties to put the visitors ahead.
The home side's cause was hampered further on 13 minutes when Scotland centre Graeme Morrison was carried off after just being injured in an innocuous-looking tackle.
But Glasgow responded in fine fashion, following up a penalty from Jackson with an excellent first try in the 26th minute.
Flanker Rob Harley was the architect as he collected Edinburgh's restart in his own 22 and burst through three tackles before offloading to Canada winger Van der Merwe, who showed fine acceleration to race in from over halfway for his sixth Magners League try of the season - Jackson added the extras.
Ahead at the break
Edinburgh fought back as Blair added his third and fourth penalties and headed in ahead at the break as Jackson spurned a penalty opportunity of his own from close range.
The two fly-halves then exchanged penalties early in the second half before Glasgow lock Gray foolishly came in at the side of a ruck and was sent to the sin bin, Blair once again taking advantage of the indiscretion to make it 18-13.
Edinburgh could not add to their tally while Gray was off the field and they then lost a man of their own as hooker Ford was given a 10-minute break for infringing, Jackson trimming the deficit to two points.
Sean Lineen's men then regained the lead with 10 minutes remaining as scrum-half Colin Gregor freed O'Hare for a run to the posts, converted by Jackson.
Evans sealed the win late on as he showed some neat footwork to slice through the Edinburgh defence and touch down under the posts for Jackson to again convert.
But there was still time for more drama as Macpherson, who had struggled to impose himself all night, sent Fusaro and MacLeod off following an ugly mass punch-up.