GLASGOW'S bid to make it four 1872 Cup wins in-a-row against Edinburgh was given a massive boost by this hard-fought, 23-14 victory at Scotstoun last night.

This first-leg success also had the welcome effect of ending a four game losing streak indomestic and European competition as Warriors went for the jugular from the start in the 140th year of the most famous rugby club derby of the lot.

Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend made several big selection decisions in the build-up and none more so than the retention of the half-back partnership of Fijian scrum-half Niko Matawalu and much maligned stand-off Ruaridh Jackson.

But Toony was vindicated with both men sparkling as Warriors took a massive step towards putting the old trophy out of the grasp of the men from the East at the first time of asking.

With just seven minutes on the clock, Warriors wing king DTH Van Der Merwe proved his pre-match claims that he was back to his best was no idle boast when he latched onto Peter Murchie's pass and sprinted home for an unconverted try.

There was not long to wait for Glasgow's second try and in 14 minutes, with the Scotstoun crowd of 6,000 roaring them on, Rob Harley smashed over in the left corner, although Horne again got his angles wrong for the conversion.

Toony's troops were not done and a superb Matawalu chip put Van Der Merwe in for his brace, with Horne converting to make it 17-0 with just 26 minutes on the clock.

Eventually the visitors registered through a Greig Laidlaw penalty in 32 minutes after Warriors were pinged for an infringement in front of their posts but it was scant consolation ahead of the break.

Laidlaw further reduced the gap with an early penalty five minutes after the re-start to 17-6 and when Piers Francis touched down to make it 17-11 five minutes later concern swept the previously gleeful Scotstoun stands.

Jacko's replacement Duncy Weir added a brace of penalties to cancel out another Laidlaw kick and guide Warriors into the home straight 23-14 up.

Now after this morale boosting success Townsend's men will now head to Murrayfiled a week today confident of claiming their first double header success over Edinburgh in three seasons.