Glasgow Warriors Secure Semi-Final Berth with Victory Over Stormers

Glasgow Warriors have booked their place in the United Rugby Championship semi-finals after defeating the Stormers 27-10 in a cagey clash at Scotstoun Stadium. Franco Smith’s charges led 6-0 at the break thanks to a pair of penalties from the boot of player of the match George Horne edging them ahead, with Manie Libbok missing both of his shots at goal.

Ben Loader and Paul de Wet grabbed tries for the Glasgow Warriors but Libbok’s inaccuracy off the tee proved costly as he missed both conversions, ending the match having missed all of his attempts.

Sebastian Cancelliere, Henco Venter, and Ross Thompson crossed for second-half scores for Glasgow Warriors, with Horne converting all three, to seal the 27-10 victory and book a place in the semi-finals where they will face defending champions Munster. Meanwhile, Leinster head to South Africa where they will face the Bulls in the second semi-final.

Glasgow, who continue their bid for a first title since 2015, moved in front with the first real attacking move from either team. Their forwards stole the Stormers’ line-out before feeding the ball through multiple pairs of hands until it reached Cancelliere on the opposite flank.

The Argentinian winger waited to draw his man before passing inside to Horne who fumbled the pass, knocking the ball on right in front of the line. Stormers were enjoying plenty of possession, too, and elected to kick for the posts after Zander Fagerson was penalized by the referee for using hands on the floor. It was a tricky kick for Libbok in the wind and he pulled his effort wide of the posts.

The Warriors rarely kick for the posts but elected to take the three points on offer when Stormers were pinged, Horne atoning for his earlier error by making a straightforward kick.

There was a moment of concern for Kyle Steyn after the Glasgow Warriors’ captain caught Stormers full-back Warrick Gelant with his arm as the pair contested a high kick. The TMO and the referee consulted before deciding a penalty was sufficient punishment, with Libbok again failing to find the target from the tee.

When the home side was then awarded a scrum penalty, they again went for the posts rather than the corner, and Horne made no mistake in doubling his side’s lead.

Stormers’ cause was not helped when they lost their captain, Salmaan Moerat, to a yellow card in the second half after making head-on-head contact with Glasgow Warriors’ replacement Nathan McBeth. Even with a man fewer, however, it was the visitors who stayed on top, and they got their reward with the first try of the game. It was a terrific move, Gelant feeding Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who in turn offloaded to Ben Loader who scored in the corner. Libbok could not add the extras from out wide. That temporarily stunned the home crowd, but it was not long before they had a score of their own to celebrate.

Stormers bobbled the kick-off, providing Sione Tuipulotu with possession, and the Scotland center’s mazy run set up Cancelliere to score, with Horne converting. The game had by now burst into life, and Stormers gave themselves another lifeline when De Wet dummied and burst over from close range. But Libbok again missed the conversion, from right in front of the posts, and Glasgow Warriors’ second try of the match settled the outcome.

Venter was the man to dive over after a series of pick-and-goes, before Thompson capped his 50th appearance by diving over right before the full-time hooter to complete the scoring.