Heineken Cup

A resolute performance from Biarritz, marshalled by their llittle general Dimitri Yashvili, earned the French side a big 22-18 victory over Glasgow in their Heineken Cup encounter at Firhill on Saturday afternoon.

Tight throughout, the match went down to the wire with Glasgow almost snatching the victory at the death after a string of penalties in the Biarritz 22m area.

It wasn't too be for the Scottish side however as Yachvili orchestrated a fine win for the in-form Top 14 side.

The Warriors got the start they wanted with an early penalty from Dan Parks but you could see the determination on the faces of both teams.

Enjoying the better of the early exchanges, Glasgow were showing a willingness to run the ball. A couple more penalties from Parks took the hosts out to a 9-0 lead and, in truth, it was the least they deserved for their good start to the game.

Biarritz struggled for rhythm in the early exchanges but got themselves on the board with penalties from Yashvili and Damien Traille and slowly started to put the pressure on the Warriors upfront.

On 27 minutes then Parks provided a magical moment. Kicking a penalty well over 55m, the Scottish No.10 took his teams lead back up to six points.

With Parks and Yachivili the central characters the kicking battle was growing into an important feature of the match. The Frenchman added his second penalty of the night to narrow the gap but it was his kicking from the base which was really pecking Glasgow back in their own half.

As half time approached both sides had attacking opportunities but neither was able to ever really break down the opposition.

Encouragingly both teams were looking to get their speedsters involved - Takudzwa Ngwenya for Biarritz, Thom Evans and DTH van der Merve for Glasgow - both teams were looking for a moment of magic to break the match open.

As it was the only points of the half would come from the boot. The teams going into the break with the Warriors ahead 15-12 after a late drop goal from Biarritz No.15 Marcelo Bosch.

The visitors started the second half very well. Using the rolling maul to good effect they sent a couple strong charges through the centres but could still not break the Warriors line.

With 48 minutes gone then a Glasgow lineout five metres from their own line went badly wrong and allowed Magnus Lund to pounce. The Englishmen dived on the ball and, according to the TV ref, got enough downward pressure on the ball to score the try.

The first try of the game, Biarritz took the lead for the first time, leading 19-15.

A Park drop goal reduced the gap and with 20 minutes left in the match it seemed we were destined for a tight finish at the Firhill Arena.

Yachvili then took his chance to show his class from the kicking tee. From wide on the left, 45m out, the French No.9 added another three points to his teams tally.

Only a great tackle from Ayoola Erinle then prevented Rob Dewey from going over in the left hand corner. It was the best phase of the game for Glasgow but, with 10 minutes left, they were still trailing by four points.

Nicolas Brusque almost wrapped the game for Biarritz five minutes from time but he failed to gather a little grubber-threw with the tryline open in front of him. Showing good composure and a resolute defence, Biarritz were grinding out the game in the closing minutes, pecking Glasgow in their own half and continuing to attack the home sides set piece.

Working hard for their points on the night Biarritz will return to France very pleased with the win. Next up for them is a clash with Gloucester at home while the Warriors travel to the Dragons next weekend.

The Scorers

For Glasgow

Pens: Parks 5
DG: Parks

For Biarritz

Tries: Lund
Pens: Yachvili 3
DG: Traille, Bosch
Con: Yachvili

The teams:

Glasgow: 15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 Rob Dewey, 13 Dave McCall, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Thom Evans, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Chris Cusiter, 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 John Barclay, 6 Richie Vernon, 5 Alastair Kellock (captain), 4 Tim Barker, 3 Moray Low, 2 Dougie Hall, 1 Jon Welsh.
Replacements: 16 Fergus Thomson, 17 Ed Kalman, 18 Kevin Tkachuk, 19 Dan Turner, 20 Kelly Brown, 21 Hefin O'Hare, 22 Colin Gregor, 23 DTH van der Merwe.

Biarritz: 15 Marcelo Bosch, 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 13 Ayoola Erinle, 12 Damine Traille, 11 Nicolas Brusque, 10 Julien Peyrelongue, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Florian Faure, 7 Imanol Harinordoquy, 6 Magnus Lund, 5 Pelu Lan Taele, 4 Jerome Thion (captain), 3 Campbell Johnstone, 2 Romain Terrain, 1 Eduard Coetzee.
Replacements: 16 Benoit August, 17 Fabien Barcella, 18 Mosese Moala, 19 Manuel Carizza, 20 Wenceslus Lauret, 21 Valentin Courrent, 22 Laurent Tranier, 23 Yann Lesgourgues.

Referees: Wayne Barnes