Rugby Union: Hayes stacks up retribution tally

Glasgow 30 Leicester 17

IF YOU are going to make your mark in the European Cup, do it against the champions of England; and do it in style. In four years of trying, no Scottish District has ever beaten an English club in either the European Cup or Shield. That dismal record was consigned to history in Perth yesterday by an ebullient Glasgow outfit, who put behind them the memory of the last time the two met, at Welford Road two years ago, when Leicester won 90-19 in a quarter-final play-off.

Only four of the Glasgow team who played in that match survived to savour this victory. For one of them, Tommy Hayes, who confessed to being "absolutely shattered" by the experience, this was sweet revenge indeed. Hayes kicked six penalties and gave Glasgow the assured control at outside-half that Leicester have missed since Joel Stransky retired.

It is some while since a Leicester pack has been given such a comprehensive working over as Glasgow dished out, the Scottish forwards providing a solid platform for Hayes and Andy Nicol to work off. Nicol scored the first try as Leicester were still attempting to come to terms with the vigour of Glasgow's opening assault. Shaun Longstaff made the running, and when the winger was stopped on the line, Nicol was on hand to burrow over.

Given their indifferent record in the Welsh-Scottish League, Glasgow have been transformed since their impressive victory against Leinster. But there was still a question mark over their staying power.

As the hour approached, with Longstaff getting the home side's second try, Glasgow were cruising at 24-0, and it looked as if the Scots were capable of going the full distance. But the substitution of Will Greenwood by Pat Howard was the catalyst for the Tigers to reveal the best of themselves. Jamie Hamilton had taken over at scrum-half, allowing Austin Healey to move to the wing, where he latched on to Howard's pass for Leicester's first try. Two more followed for Lewis Moody and Neil Back, the last converted by Andy Goode. It was enough to rock Glasgow, but not to deny them a famous victory.

Glasgow: Tries Nicol, Longstaff. Conversion Hayes. Penalties Hayes 6.

Leicester: Tries Healey, Moody, Back. Conversion Goode.

Glasgow: G. Metcalfe; J. Craig, A. Bulloch, J. Stuart. S. Longstaff; T. Hayes, A. Nicol (Capt, F. Stott 81); D. Hilton, G. Bulloch, G. McIlwham, S. Campbell, J. White, G. Simpson, D. McFadyen, R. Reid (J. Petrie 66).

Leicester: T. Stimpson; G. Murphy (J. Hamilton 62), S. Potter, W. Greenwood (P. Howard 62), D. Lougheed; A. Goode, A. Healey; D. Jelley (P. Freshwater 45), D. West, G. Rowntree, M. Johnson (Capt), B. Kay, P. Gustard (L. Moody 57), N. Back, M. Corry (W. Johnson 57).

Referee: J. Jutge (France).

n The French internationals, Christophe Dominici and Thomas Lombard, each scored two tries to help Stade Francais to a 39-6 home win over Leinster in Pool One of the Heineken Cup yesterday. The Paris-based side lead the pool on points difference from Glasgow Caledonians with Leicester back in third place ahead of Leinster, still without a point.