Glasgow Warriors take 1872 Cup lead with 24-12 win over Edinburgh at Hampden

Glasgow Warriors moved into the lead in the 1872 Cup after a 24-12 win over Edinburgh in the first leg at Hampden Park on Sunday. Four tries, three of them coming in the second half, helped Franco Smith’s side secure a bonus-point result and take a 12-point edge into the return leg next week. The result capped a week in which Glasgow had produced one of the sport’s defining recent moments by defeating Toulouse in the Champions Cup, underscoring their growing momentum.

Glasgow started with intent, using a clever move from Sione Tuipulotu to send Kyle Steyn bursting through a gap early on. The hosts then surged ahead on 10 minutes when Matt Fagerson powered over from close range after sustained pressure, and Adam Hastings converted to make it 7-0.

Edinburgh hit back 20-something minutes later through Dylan Richardson, who darted through the Glasgow defence from a strong lineout drive. Cammy Scott’s conversion attempt fell short, and Edinburgh’s first-half pressure failed to convert into a lead as the half ended with Glasgow ahead 7-5. There was a sense of Edinburgh flirting with danger at times, with Glasgow’s line and breakdown defense making the difference as the hosts controlled territory but could not always finish the opportunities.

Glasgow extended their advantage early in the second half when Rory Darge finished a close-range drive and Hastings converted to push the score to 14-5. Just five minutes later, Gregor Hiddleston grabbed Glasgow’s third try, with Hastings again adding the extras to make it 19-5.

Edinburgh, compelled to chase, finally found some momentum as Grant Gilchrist powered over from a lineout drive and Ross Thompson converted, narrowing the gap to 19-12 with nine minutes remaining.

Glasgow wrapped things up with a fourth try from replacement hooker Seb Stephen just before full-time, sealing a 24-12 victory. Edinburgh pressed in the closing stages but could not add to their tally, and Glasgow’s finishers remained clinically efficient when it mattered.

Rory Darge was outstanding for the home side, while the Glasgow pack and defense kept Edinburgh’s Scotland internationals—Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham among them—from finding a consistent attacking groove. Van der Merwe was taken off with 13 minutes to play, a moment reflected in the visitors’ mood as the intensity of the derby continued to ebb and flow.

Attendance at Hampden was officially 21,093, a solid figure that underlined the derby’s enduring appeal even when the venue isn’t a traditional rugby stadium. The atmosphere remained intense, but the game also underscored ongoing questions for Edinburgh about finishing efficiency and consistency after a recent challenging run.

With the aggregate lead now standing at 24-12, Glasgow head into the second leg with a comfortable cushion and the prospect of sealing a fourth consecutive 1872 Cup triumph. The second leg will determine the trophy winner on aggregate, and Edinburgh will be under pressure to convert their chances into a decisive performance to overturn the deficit.