Glasgow Warriors Commanding in Bonus-Point Victory at Sale Sharks in Champions Cup First Round
Investec Champions Cup Result
Sale Sharks (14) 21
Tries: Van Rhyn, Davies, Louw Conversions: Du Preez (3)
Glasgow Warriors (12) 26
Tries: Hiddleston, Darge, Steyn, McDowall Conversions: Hastings (3)
The Scottish side kicked off their Champions Cup journey in ideal fashion with a valuable four-try win on the road against Sale Sharks.
Taking advantage of the wind at their backs, the hosts started strongly and built a 14-0 lead within the first quarter. Tries from the Sale skipper and youngster Ollie Davies gave them early control.
But, the visitors responded admirably with a pair of scores prior to half-time. Forward Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both crossed to narrow the gap.
Further after the break tries from captain Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall pushed Glasgow's advantage to twelve points. Marius Louw's try for the hosts set up a nervous finale, but the visitors held firm to claim a major first-round win.
Warriors Seize Initiative After Half-Time
Play began with a bang as skipper Van Rhyn drove over from short distance after just two minutes. An early injury to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White introduced teenager Davies into the action for his cup debut.
The youngster made an immediate impact. Switching to fly-half, he ran a good angle to collect an pass and touch down, making Sale's advantage.
Facing challenging conditions, the Warriors turned to their forward power to fight back into the game. A powerful driving maul was finished by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Just before the break, Darge forced his way over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a two-point game at the interval.
The Scottish club seized the lead for the first time early in the second half. A poor box-kick was collected by number eight Jack Dempsey, who fed skipper Steyn to break a challenge and sprint to the line.
Now in the driving seat, Glasgow clinched the bonus point when McDowall powered past a tackle to score his century for the club. This try completed a run of twenty-six unanswered points.
The hosts found a lifeline when Marius Louw used neat footwork to score. The conversion made it a five-point game with time remaining.
A final opportunity came for them from a line-out in the corner, but they failed to secure the possession, sealing Glasgow's victory.
What's Next?
Sale Sharks must regroup ahead of a journey to face Clermont next Saturday. In contrast, Glasgow will welcome six-time winners Toulouse to Scotstoun.
The two sides are placed in a strong first pool that also includes the English side and South African outfit the Sharks.
Teams
Sale Sharks: Reed; O'Flaherty, Ma'asi-White, Louw, Wills; Du Preez, Quirke; McIntyre, Jibulu, John, Burrow, Bamber, Vermeulen, Van Rhyn, T Curry.
Replacements: Caine, Onasanya, Harper, Andrews, B Curry, Warr, Davies, Wehr.
Glasgow Warriors: McKay; Steyn, McDowall, Tuipulotu, Smith; Hastings, Horne; McBeth, Hiddleston, Z Fagerson, Williamson, Cummings, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.
Replacements: Stephen, Sutherland, Talakai, Samuel, Brown, Miller, Dobie, Lancaster.
Officials
Referee: Pierre Brousset (French).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France) and Julien Caulier (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (French).