Heineken Cup
Glasgow hang on for famous win
Scrum.com
January 17, 2009
Date/Time: Jan 17, 2009, 14:35 local, 13:35 GMT
Venue: Stade Ernest Wallon, Toulouse
Toulouse 26 - 33 Glasgow
Half-time: 3 - 23
Tries: Clerc, Penalty
Cons: du Toit, Jauzion
Pens: du Toit, Elissalde 3
Tries: Brown, MB Evans, Morrison
Cons: Parks 3
Pens: Parks 3
Drops: Parks
Glasgow scrum-half Colin Gregor is swallowed by the Toulouse defence, Toulouse v Glasgow Warriors, Heineken Cup, Stade Ernest Wallon, Toulouse, France, January 17 2009
Glasgow scrum-half Colin Gregor scraps with the Toulouse defence
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Glasgow pulled off arguably the greatest result in their history by damaging the Heineken Cup quest of French champions Toulouse with a 33-26 win at the Stade Ernest Wallon. Three tries and a series of pinpoint kicks by Dan Parks paved the way for the surprise success as Glasgow held off a powerful recovery from the hosts in the second-half.

Parks confidently slotted a 45-metre penalty to edge the Scots in front, and even better was to come two minutes later as the Warriors carved out a try which stunned the partisan home crowd. Vincent Clerc failed to deal with a grubber kick and Graeme Morrison nipped in to steal the ball and drop over the line, the score being awarded after consultation with the video referee. Parks kicked the tricky conversion and then doubled his penalty tally.

Obstruction by John Barclay on Cedric Heymans gave Jean-Baptiste Elissalde the chance to repair some of the damage, and he duly clawed back three points. Parks missed his next penalty attempt but frustration quickly turned to glee as Glasgow created a marvellous second try which even had the locals showing their approval.

A chip and chase launched the move before Barclay delivered the scoring pass to back-row colleague Kelly Brown, Parks adding the conversion. Parks also clipped over an opportunist drop-goal just before the interval, stretching Glasgow's lead to 20 points.

Elissalde replied with two penalties to close the gap but Parks responded with another penalty after Fabien Pelous threw a punch. Glasgow then pounced for their third try when the Toulouse backs failed to collect another grubber kick, Max Evans ideally positioned to claim the crucial first touch.

Parks converted before the desperate hosts threw everything into attack and bullied the Glasgow pack into giving away a penalty try, goaled by Yannick Jauzion. And when Vincent Clerc nipped over for Gaffie du Toit to convert in the 76th minute, the outcome was back in the balance.

However, the home side had to be content with a consolation bonus point via du Toit's last-gasp penalty.

Glasgow boss Sean Lineen was full of praise for his fly-half Parks, only in the side after a late injury to Ruairidh Jackson. "It was an absolutely fantastic result and I am so proud of every one of the guys," Lineen said. "They stuck to the game plan and it worked a treat. We kept the ball well and Dan Parks was simply outstanding.

"Having said that, it was a real team effort, with the front row having to work their socks off. Naturally, everyone connected with the squad is totally delighted."

Toulouse boss Guy Noves was gracious in defeat after his side surrendered a 15-match unbeaten run and handed Bath plenty of motivation for tomorrow's clash with the Dragons. "They deserved the win because they wanted it more," he said. "Maybe we had our eyes on next week's game against Bath because it was only in parts of the second half that we showed any hunger.

"Glasgow had proved in the past that they can be a dangerous side. They almost won at Bath and they have given us problems in Scotland. We now have a fight on our hands to make it into the quarter-finals."

Toulouse: Poitrenaud, Clerc, Kunavore, Jauzion, Heymans, Michalak, Elissalde, Poux, Lacombe, Perugini, Millo-Chulski, Albacete, Bouihlou, Sowerby, Nyanga.

Replacements: Fritz for Kunavore (40), Kelleher for Michalak (40), Du Toit for Elissalde (78), Human for Poux (40), Vernet Basualdo for Lacombe (25), Pelous for Millo-Chulski (40), Lamboley for Nyanga (60).

Glasgow: Stortoni, Nunez Piossek, M. Evans, Morrison, T. Evans, Parks, Gregor, Va'a, Hall, Low, Turner, Kellock, Eddie, Brown, Barclay.

Replacements: Henderson for Nunez Piossek (65), Kalman for Va'a (51), Thomson for Hall (60), Beattie for Eddie (46). Not Used: Vernon, O'Hare, Shaw.

Sin Bin: Henderson (77).

Man of the Match: M Evans (Glasgow Warriors)

Att: 19,500

Ref: W Barnes (RFU).

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