GLASGOW’S second string maintained the club’s 100 per cent record against the Zebre with a comfortable win that keeps alive their theoretical chance of making the top four.
Although Glasgow started only two of the team that faced Munster last week, they were never in danger of losing to a Zebre team which itself showed 10 changes and was early disrupted by injury.
Glasgow had the bonus point by the pause with tries from Nick Grigg, Pete Murchie, Rob Harley and Matt Fagerson – all converted by Pete Horne.
Three more were added from the re-start by Sam Johnson and young flanker replacement Matt Smith (2); Peter Horne converted the first five tries. Kayle Van Zyl and Kurt Baker grabbed the Zebre tries.
Zebre kicked off but within seven minutes had to replace scrum-half Carlo Englebrecht plus lock and captain Valerio Bernabo. Further disruption was caused by the loss of stand off Serafin Bordoli in the 33rd minute, which required a mass rearrangement of the back line.
By that time the Zebre already trailed by 28-0 and the Warriors had the bonus point, Centre Nick Grigg grabbed the first try following phase play. Full-back Peter Murchie cut into the line and was allowed to plough on for the touch-down.
A long break by Sam Johnson, back in the side after injury, set up the position for Rob Harley to touch down.
Eighteen-year-old No 8 Matt Fagerson, on his first start, was sent in for the fourth by flanker Chris Fusaro. All four tries were converted by Peter Horne.
The Zebre opened the second half with their first prolonged period in the home twenty two but made nothing of it.
When Glasgow got upfield winger Rory Hughes had an effort chalked off for obstruction. Soon after, a move started on the Zebre 10-metre line by Fusaro ended with Johnson battling over.
Young back row sub Matt Smith weighed in with a brace of touch downs, however another youthful sub George Horne failed with both conversions.
The Zebres’ scores in 67 and 79 minutes fell to winger Van Zyl and fit again backs sub Kurt Baker.
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