Glasgow stretch lead in URC after Benetton win
Glasgow moved nine points clear in the United Rugby Championship [SNS] United Rugby Championship Glasgow (7) 31 Tries: Matthews, Watson, Williamson, Stephen, Talakai Cons: Hastings 2, Lancaster. Benetton 10 (10) Tries: Odogwu Con: Smith Pen: Smith. Glasgow Warriors stretched their lead at the top of the United Rugby Championship with a bonus-point win over Benetton at Scotstoun.
Paolo Odugwu's try for the Italian side was cancelled out by Johnny Matthews in an underwhelming first half, with Rhyno Smith's penalty giving the visitors a 10-7 lead at the break. Fergus Watson's try on his first Glasgow appearance put the home side in front before scores from Max Williamson, Seb Stephen and Sam Talakai helped Warriors pull away and move nine points clear of Stormers, who play Edinburgh on Saturday. Next up for Glasgow is a Champions Cup last-16 showdown with the Bulls at Scotstoun on Saturday 4 April.
Benetton have struggled for consistency this season but they struck first when Odugwu blasted straight through a soft tackle from Matthews to go in under the posts. All the latest Scottish Rugby news, views & analysis Matthews and Odugwu collided again soon after when the Benetton centre went in high and made head-to-head contact. Even though Odugwu came off worse from the tackle, being left prone on the floor, he was correctly shown a yellow card.
Warriors were struggling to find their rhythm, with dropped balls and injuries punctuating much of the first half. They found a way on to the scoreboard towards the end of the half, and even then it was messy. An overthrow from a five-metre line-out landed on the grass and Adam Hastings reacted first to retain possession.
Glasgow had a couple of cracks at the Benetton line before Matthews was adjudged, after a lengthy check by the television match official, to have grounded for the try. Hastings' conversion levelled things up, only for Rhyno Smith to knock over a penalty with the final kick of the half to ensure Benetton led by three at the break. Franco Smith's half-time team talk seemed to waken Glasgow up.