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Glasgow boost PRO14 play-off hopes with eight-try victory over Zebre
Glasgow racked up eight tries in a 56-24 PRO14 victory over Zebre that boosted their play-off hopes.
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George Horne and Mesulame Dolokoto both touched down twice for the hosts at Scotstoun, while Matt Fagerson, DTH Van Der Merwe and Tom Gordon also crossed the whitewash and the Warriors benefited from a second-half penalty try.
Glasgow did not have things all their own way, however, and led by just four points at half-time after tries from Daniele Rimpelli and Marcello Violi , but the result was not in doubt by the time Pierre Bruno added their third five minutes from time.
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Playing into a powerful wind, Glasgow gave themselves the start they were looking for.
After five minutes, Nick Grigg sliced through the Zebre defence and put George Horne in for the opening try. Pete Horne converted and Glasgow doubled their total four minutes later.
Fagerson laid off to George Hunter and then a slick offload let the back-rower finish what he had started. Pete Horne again converted but Glasgow failed to capitalise.
Sloppy passing gave Zebre field position inside the Glasgow 22. Michelangelo Biondelli was held up over the line but the pressure did not ease and Rimpelli went over for Biondelli to convert.
Zebre had a bit of momentum and sharp hands forced Glasgow to give up a penalty which Biondelli knocked over.
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Eager to back on the horse was our Stuart! https://t.co/V77mdsUZEJ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 14, 2020
Five minutes from half-time Glasgow lost their own line-out and Junior Laloifi carved a break to put Violli – on for Biondelli – in for a try which he converted to give Zebre a count of 17 unanswered points and the lead.
A mighty line-out drive in the final minute before the break set up Glasgow and George Horne grabbed his second, with Pete Horne converting as a mightily relieved Glasgow went in ahead.
Glasgow started the second half with two early tries, as hooker Dolokoto secured the bonus point and Van Der Merwe scored off an exquisite cross kick from Pete Horne.
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The Warriors were in full control and when George Horne was denied a second try by a high tackle after a 50-metre burst, the penalty try was number six for the home side.
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Zebre did not fold, but apart from the threat of Bruno they rarely got behind the Glasgow defence.
Substitute Glasgow scrum-half Jamie Dobie put in a lung-bursting run but was tackled short, with Gordon picking up the pieces to touch down.
From the kick-off, Bruno grabbed the try he had deserved all night.
Glasgow’s magical hands opened up the Zebre defence one more time for Dolokoto to grab his second, bringing up the half century and completing a comprehensive win.
– Press Association
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