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Glasgow Warriors 37-6 Newport Gwent Dragons

Glasgow Warriors scored a record breaking win tonight at Scotstoun against Newport Gwent Dragons, scoring 5 tries and extending their run of RaboDirect Pro12 wins to 6.

Niko Matawalu put in an electric first performance at scrum half having been used mostly on the wing so far this season, earning a well-deserved man of the match accolade.

The early stages of the game saw some testy rugby from both sides, as they settled into the game. Scott Wight got the Warriors on the board with a successful penalty, before Peter Murchie scored the first of many tries of the night.

The first half was all about the home side as they dominated in attack and gave the Dragons little opportunity to respond with attacks of their own. Loosehead prop Gordy Reid startled the visitors as he darted through a gap they did not even realise was in their line, to score a try between the posts. Matawalu almost had his name on the scoreboard as he sprinted over the line for what looked to be a try, but the referee had called for a forward pass, so the try was not allowed.

Towards the end of the half Tom Prydie was able to salvage something for the Dragons with two successful penalties taking the score to 20 – 6 at half time.

The Warriors came out with a bang in the second half, Tom Ryder scoring their third try of the night after only three minutes. Scott Wight missed his first kick with a conversion attempt from out wide but the fans were in full voice and Glasgow seemed nicely in control.

The vocal Scotstoun home crowd voiced their disapproval as new favourite Niko was brought down off the ball, he received treatment on the pitch but was able to carry on playing, much to the relief of the injury plagued side. He proved his mettle only moments later by taking on a Dragons forward double his size, and setting up Tommy Seymour with a fantastic offload, for the bonus point try.

Seymour was not done there either as from a Dragons scrum the ball fell to him and he chipped it forward giving chase. There was a moment when it looked as though Dragons full back Dan Evans would collect the loose ball, but it bounced out of his hands and Seymour was waiting to grab it and ground it, over the line for the fifth try of the night.

Taking the score to 37-6, which is how it would stay for the rest of the match.

Not content without a little controversy in the game, lock Tim Swinson was sin binned with only ten minutes remaining, the decision leaving all at the stadium perplexed as to the reason. Despite being down a man, the Warriors were able to repel phase after phase of Newport attack to see out the game and keep their position in the league looking strong.

SRBlog Man of the Match: Niko Matawalu – sparked in attack as he looked for every little opportunity to create something. Given an ovation as he left the field.

Attendance: 3317

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