Celtic League/Glasgow Warriors 21 Leinster 17:A last-minute try by Glasgow fullback Bernardo Stortoni gave the Warriors victory at Firhill last night in a match that seemed destined to go the way of the visitors.
Outhalf Jonny Sexton provided the accurate kicking platform for Leinster with three penalty goals and a drop-goal but that in the end was not enough as they conceded three tries in the second half to a Glasgow side that gained in confidence as the match wore on.
It took Leinster six minutes to break what was an initial period of sterile rugby deadlock, the points coming from a 30-metre penalty kick by outhalf Johnny Sexton, punishing Glasgow's forwards for an infringement at the breakdown.
The visitors had a further chance when Sexton set up a lineout five metres out only for Leinster to lose possession on their own throw.
But with 24 minutes gone Sexton kicked a second penalty.
Glasgow finally broke their points duck with a 40-metre drop-goal from their outhalf Colin Gregor following inspired play by Stortoni.
The score seemed to inspire Glasgow in the few minutes remaining of the first half as the Warriors gained what seemed a permanent foothold in Leinster's 22, but when Gregor attempted a penalty kick the ball rebounded off the far upright to leave a relieved Leinster with a 6-3 half-time lead.
Leinster's advantage looked perilously slim at the beginning of the second half as Glasgow pounded the visitors' defence with dynamic play by backs and forwards.
Something had to give and after drives at the line by Johnny Beattie and Ed Kalman, prop Moray Low was driven over for the first try of the match.
Gregor missed the conversion but minutes later at the other end Sexton made no mistake with his third attempt at goal to restore the lead for Leinster with the scoreline at 8-9.
Then when Gregor was unsuccessful with another kick at goal it seemed that Leinster were being ushered to victory.
But then fortunes changed for Glasgow as Gregor found his kicking form to put over his first penalty goal, reducing Leinster's lead to just one point, only for Sexton to demonstrate yet again his value as a kicker with a sweetly taken drop-goal.
With Malcolm O'Kelly and Keith Gleeson adding experience to Leinster's pack, the visitors looked more secure in the frontal exchanges.
It showed when Leinster forced a turnover and when the ball was moved through the hands, replacement hooker Brian Blaney sprinted up the left touchline before supplying the scoring pass to fellow substitute Cian Healy.
Glasgow, however, replied in style, with an impressive try made by skilful running from replacement outhalf Scott Barrow and finished in the corner by wing replacement Hefin O'Hare.
But Glasgow's hopes of taking the lead were again dashed as Barrow's conversion attempt drifted well wide of the posts.
The dark thoughts were premature, however.
Glasgow put everything into attack and when Leinster lost control of a lineout a metre out from their try line Glasgow moved the ball left for Barrow to kick wide, giving Stortoni an easy try and the home side a last-minute victory.
Scorers: Glasgow Warriors - Tries: Low, O'Hare, Stortoni. Pens: Gregor. Drop goal: Gregor. Leinster - Tries: Healy. Pens: Sexton (3). Drop goal: Sexton.
GLASGOW WARRIORS: B Stortoni; M Evans, G Morrison, D Gibson, T Evans; C Gregor, S Pinder; E Kalman, E Milligan, M Low, A Newman, A Kellock (captain), S Swindall, J Barclay, J Beattie. Replacements: F Thomson for Milligan (40 mins); C O'Young for Pinder (46 mins); M Collins for Kalman (62 mins); D Turner for Newman (63 mins); S Barrow for Gregor (68 mins); H O'Hare for Evans (70 mins)
LEINSTER: R McCarron; F Carr, S Horgan (captain), C Warner, R Kearney; J Sexton, C Willis; S Wright, B Jackman, S Knoop, C Jowitt, D Toner, S Keogh, S Jennings, K McLaughlin. Replacements: B Blaney for Jackman (40 mins); C Healy for Wright, M O'Kelly for Jowitt (both 49 mins);
Referee: H Watkins (Wales).
