1872 Cup: Glasgow lift Cup despite loss

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 28: Warriors' Kyle Steyn lifts the 1872 Cup during a United Rugby Championship match between Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, on December 28, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Glasgow left their home leg at Hampden Park with a 19-point lead thanks to their 33-14 win before Christmas. And although the Gunners did win at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in the second leg, it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit, and the Warriors lifted the Cup.

Early in the first half, both sides jabbed at each other without much conviction, until the only points of the first half arrived. An excellent 50-22 established an attacking lineout near the line for the hosts. A penalty for not rolling away was forthcoming and Ross Thompson slotted the kick at goal. (Edinburgh 3 – 0 Glasgow, 22 mins)

Thompson then had an opportunity to extend the lead after the half hour mark, but his long-range effort sailed harmlessly to the left of the posts.

Luke Crosbie came closest to scoring the game’s first try, as he stretched over the line with ball in hand, but it was knocked out just in time, meaning it was 3-0 at the break.

Half time: Edinburgh 3 – 0 Glasgow Warriors

The game opened up in the final 25 minutes, as the ball was held up over the line after a great break from Sam Skinner.

Warriors fought back though through winning a series of penalties. The visitors drove their tried and tested lineout over the line and were rewarded with a penalty try plus a yellow card to Patrick Harrison for bringing down the maul. (3 – 7, 69 mins)

But Edinburgh’s response was swift and emphatic. Pierre Schoeman rumbled over with the final carry in a multiple-phase scramble on the line. Ben Healy duly obliged with the conversion. (10 – 7, 70 mins)

Edinburgh had the grit to see out the win, and celebrated euphorically at the end.

Full time: Edinburgh 10 – 7 Glasgow Warriors

Team sheets:

Edinburgh: 15. Wes Goosen, 14. Darcy Graham, 13. Matt Currie, 12. Mosese Tuipulotu, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Ross Thompson, 9. Ali Price; 1. Boan Venter, 2. Dave Cherry, 3. D’arcy Rae, 4. Sam Skinner, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Jamie Ritchie, 7. Luke Crosbie, 8. Ben Muncaster.

Glasgow Warriors: 15. Kyle Rowe, 14. Sebastian Cancelliere, 13. Huw Jones, 12. Sione Tuipulotu, 11. Kyle Steyn, 10. Tom Jordan, 9. Jamie Dobie; 1. Jamie Bhatti, 2. Gregor Hiddleston, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Gregor Brown, 5. Scott Cummings, 6. Ally Miller, 7. Matt Fagerson, 8. Jack Mann.