Despite a difficult week, the Highvelders delivered a gutsy performance to turn a 24-14 halftime lead into a well-deserved 11-point win.

Glasgow were the first to score when left wing Elias Caven dotted down to complete a well-worked movement, while flyhalf Tom Jordan easily slotted the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

But the Highvelders levelled matters just after the 20 minutes mark when lively speedster Edwill van der Merwe launched a counter offence from a poor Warriors kick. Scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba was on hand to take the pass for their opening try.

Barely three minutes later the home side took the lead through No 8 Francke Horn who scored near the post after Glasgow had spilled the ball under pressure. Gianni Lombard slotted his second conversion to hand them a 14-7 lead.

With the home side now enjoying the momentum, they upped the tempo and outside centre Manuel Rass forced his way over the whitewash to cap a period of sustained pressure. That five pointer increased their lead to 19-7.

With their tails up, they scored their bonus-point try four minutes before halftime through left wing Van der Merwe. However, the Warriors responded straight from the kick-off when the home side failed to secure the restart kick, which allowed wing Cole Forbes an easy run-in for a converted try.

Lombard then slotted a close-range penalty goal to bring the opening half to a halt with the score 27-14 in their favour.

Junior Springbok Ruan Venter, playing in the No 4 lock position, scored the first points of the second stanza when he forced his way over the chalk from a quick tap penalty. Lombard's conversion struck the upright, but the home side was now well clear at 31-14, although there was still plenty of time remaining on the clock.

Glasgow showed their fighting spirit and pivot Jordan, who had a good game, carried strong to go over for their third try of the afternoon to reduce the deficit to 32-19. It was no surprise when replacement loose forward Tom Gordon added a fourth try, from a quick driving maul, as Glasgow clawed their way back to 32-24.

Emirates Lions replacement prop Ruan Dreyer was red carded for a dangerous clear-out tackle late in the second half, which was a heavy blow as the home team was camping on the Glasgow tryline.

They then displayed a lot of heart on defence as the visitors attacked with menace, however, a turnover penalty gave Lombard another shot at goal, and he steered the ball high through the sticks to take the final score to 35-24 for a massive home win.

Scorers:

Emirates Lions 35 (24) - Tries: Sanele Nohamba, Francke Horn, Manuel Rass, Edwill van der Merwe, Ruan Venter. Conversions: Gianni Lombard (2). Penalty goals: Lombard (2).

Glasgow Warriors 24 (14) - Tries: Elias Caven, Cole Forbes, Tom Jordan, Tom Gordon. Conversions: Jordan (2).