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Short-handed Glasgow hand Benetton first loss
By PA
Glasgow ran in four tries to earn a bonus-point victory over Benetton.
A competitive encounter was decided by the home side’s clinical finishing as Franco Smith’s men continued their strong start to the season.
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Glasgow were missing Jamie Dobie, out for up to 14 weeks following ankle surgery, and the suspended Duncan Weir.
Their losses were offset by a first appearance since the World Cup for George Turner, while Tom Gordon also featured for the first time this season.
Benetton arrived as the only undefeated team in the league and took advantage of some Glasgow indiscipline to land two early Tomas Albornoz penalties.
They could have stretched their lead when Albornoz attempted a drop-goal, but he pulled his effort just wide.
Glasgow hit back as they crossed for the first try of the game.
Stafford McDowall won his side a line-out with the 50:22 kick, with the ball being passed through hands before Josh McKay burst over. George Horne knocked over the extras.
Glasgow had their second try just minutes later. Sebastian Cancelliere burst through the middle of the Benetton defence before finding Kyle Rowe to dot down, with Horne again converting.
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The Italians, though, responded with another perfect Albornoz penalty to keep them in contention.
Warriors were then reduced temporarily to 14 men when McKay went in high on Sebastian Negri and was shown a yellow card.
Benetton could not take advantage of the man advantage for 10 minutes but came within inches from scoring late in the first half, only for Marcus Watson to be bundled into touch by a combination of Cancelliere and Tom Jordan.
Glasgow were reduced to 14 men for a second time early in the second half when Tom Gordon was sin-binned for illegally disrupting the maul.
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Benetton looked certain to score with the man advantage, but Marco Zanon dropped the ball right on the line under pressure from Matt Fagerson.
That was a let-off for Glasgow and they capitalised with a third try. Cancelliere took a quick line-out to McKay who released Horne. The scrum-half burst forward before releasing the Argentina international to score.
Jacob Umaga added a penalty to keep Benetton within range before Horne claimed Glasgow’s fourth try, taking a pass from McKay on the wing before diving over in the corner.
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The writer here ignores the fact that, following on from not taking the penalty kick, the All Blacks did manage to score a try a few minutes later. Not directly from the penalty awarded, but it is speculation to say that had they opted to take the koi they would have won. Even if they kicked it, which was no guarantee, they would still be trailing and would have had to start again at half-way.
Go to commentsI would be surprised if Sales Opoku Fordjour and Northampton’s Tommy Freeman are not in the team, Anthony Watson is also one that could go on the wing. One thing I must say is that the front 3 will get destroyed against a team like South Africa.
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