Leinster miss out on top spot as Glasgow continue playoff push

An important 12-6 win over Leinster moved Glasgow Warriors above rivals Edinburgh in the Guinness Pro12 table to strengthen their hopes of a play-off place whilst Leinster's defeat means the Irish province stay 2nd.

Leinster, particularly guilty of errors, missed out on the opportunity to leapfrog Connacht at the top of the table although they closed on their Irish title rivals with a losing bonus point.

Both sides displayed effort but little inspiration with the occasional line break coming to nothing.

Glasgow's stand off Rory Clegg, newly returned from a spell in France with Oyonnax, kicked two important penalties in each half although Isa Nacewa kept Leinster in touch with his own two first-half penalties.

Glasgow kicked off on an improved Scotstoun surface after the mid-winter postponements, but it was the visitors who took the lead with a penalty in just the third minute from Nacewa.

A 14th minute penalty from Glasgow's Clegg, after a Leinster kick out on the full had given them position, levelled the scores and three minutes later Clegg eased Glasgow ahead with his second penalty.

The half consisted of long periods where each side in turn had prolonged periods of possession with little ground gained.

However a bright kick and take on the left wing by Leinster's Dave Kearney should have brought a try when an overlap was created on the right. However stand-off Cathal Marsh passed behind his teammate and into touch.

Leinster soon did equalise with a penalty from Nacewa, but the winger went from hero to zero as he closed the half by missing a straightforward penalty chance, so the teams went in with the score tied at 6-6.

Glasgow restarted with vigour, trapping Leinster in their 22, with Clegg easing them back into the lead with a 50th minute penalty which he extended seven minutes later with his fourth success.

The quality of play then again fell away with neither line under serious pressure as defences ruled.

Then, with five minutes left, a long penalty allowed Leinster to establish themselves in the home 22 and the chance to win the match. But they were repulsed by an abrasive Glasgow defence and when Peadar Timmins was penalised for side entry Clegg made good on his opportunity to kick his new Scottish team out of sight and secure an important four points.