Glasgow thump Zebre to keep slim play-off hopes alive

Glasgow Warriors kept their slim chance of securing a Pro12 play-off spot alive with a 45-10 bonus-point thumping of Zebre at Scotstoun Stadium.

The Warriors suffered European Champions Cup elimination and lost 10-7 to Munster in their last two outings, but victory on Friday closed the gap to fourth-placed Scarlets to six points.

However, Glasgow will need to be at their best at leaders Leinster in two weeks if they are to go into the final round of the regular season with a semi-final spot realistically in reach.

Zebre’s hopes of a historic third successive Pro12 victory were quickly dented as Nick Grigg, Peter Murchie, Rob Harley and Matt Fagerson crossed to send Glasgow into half-time 28-0 up.

The Italian side lost scrum-half Carlo Engelbrecht and captain Valerio Bernabo to injuries before the first points were registered, and Sam Johnson and Matt Smith extended the hosts’ advantage after the restart.

Kayle van Zyl got Zebre on the board before Smith completed his double, with Kurt Baker’s score two minutes from time nothing more than a consolation for the visitors.

FULL TIME | Glasgow Warriors 45-10 Zebre
Seven tries on the night for the Warriors as they walk away from a sold out Scotstoun with 5 points pic.twitter.com/QWdBO44TG5

— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) April 14, 2017

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