| Zebre Parma: (7) 17 |
| Tries: Bruno, Du Toit 2; Con: Prisciantelli |
| Glasgow (10) 45 |
| Tries: Manjezi, Cancelliere, McDowall, Matthews 2, Miotti; Pen: Horne; Cons: Horne 6; |
Glasgow Warriors won Zebre Parma’s away match to earn their first win in the United Rugby Championship for over 11 months.
The opening period was difficult for Warriors, and Pierre Bruno gave Zebre the lead they deserved.
Sintu Manjezi, however, responded before the break. Sebastian Cancelliere (Staff McDowall), Jonny Matthews, Domingo Miotti and Jonny Matthews eventually won comfortably.
Jacques Du Toit was able to grab a Zebre double in the last minute, but that was only consolation.
Doddie Weir, a legend in Scotland, was honored with a minute of applause, just like matches across rugby this weekend. He died last week following a long battle against motor neurone.
Although Glasgow had never suffered defeat to Zebre, they were also on a nine-match losing streak on the road. So victory in Parma was not a sure thing.
It was evident in the 10 minute opening when Matt Fagerson, who was responsible for taking down a maul rumbling towards Glasgow try-line, was sent to the bin. The pressure valve was only released by a Richie Gray line out steal on his 5m line.
Zebre continued to fight at the Glasgow line, and the deserved breakthrough came when Geronimo Pristiantelli sent a beautiful kick-pass into Bruno’s arms. Bruno was able to jump over.
Warriors were second by quite a distance in the first quarter. However, they managed to draw level just minutes after being behind.
Chris Cook, Zebre scrumhalf, spent a long time with his clearance kick. Manjezi was able to charge down to grab the ball and score.
Glasgow believed that it would signal a change of momentum. They were wrong.
Bruno was prevented from going over to Steyn’s line for another attempt at rounding off an excellent attacking Zebre move.
Glasgow entered the break with a three-point lead thanks to George Horne, but that was only after they had conceded nine penalties in 40 minutes.
The captain Steyn gave the Warriors a boost in the second period.
Horne’s pass fended off one defender. Steyn slid past a few tackles and then unselfishly gave Cancelliere the try.
Soon after, the visitors took full control of the match. Bruno did a disservice to Horne’s precise box-kick and tossed the ball in the direction of McDowall who ran clear to score.
Horne kicked like a child all afternoon, and he converted it to make it 24-7.
Now it was all about the pursuit of the bonus point for four attempts. It arrived when Matthews, a substitute, drove over from close range.
Du Toit was another substitute hooker for the home side. Domingo Miotti scored for Warriors’ fifth attempt after good work from Matthews.
Du Toit made his second attempt in almost the same fashion as his first. He did so from a rolling line out maul. Matthews responded by adding some gloss to the Warriors score.
Horne converted to bring his total score to 15 points. It wasn’t a flawless performance but Glasgow did what they were meant to.
Line-ups
Zebre Parma: Pani, Bruno, Cronje, Lucchin, Trulla, Prisciantelli, Cook; Rizzoli, Manfredi, Nocera, Sisi, Zambonin, Fox-Matamua, Pelser, Kvesic.
Du Toit. Rimpelli. Neculai. Uys. Ferrari. Garcia. Smith. Van Wyk.
Glasgow Smith, Cancelliere. Tuipulotu. McDowall. Steyn. Jordan. Horne. Kebble. Brown. Z Fagerson. Manjezi. R Gray. Wilson. Vailanu. M Fagerson.
Replacements: Matthews, Bhatti, Walker, Du Preez, Bean, Brown, Dobbie, Miotti.
Referee: Tual Trainini