Glasgow Impressive in Four-Try Win at Sale in Champions Cup Opener

The Scottish side began their European campaign in ideal fashion with a valuable bonus-point away victory against Sale Sharks.

With the wind at their backs, Sale began strongly and raced to a fourteen-point advantage within the first quarter. Tries from Ernst van Rhyn and teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

However, the visitors fought back admirably with two tries before half-time. Forward Hiddleston and back-rower Darge both went over to reduce the deficit.

Additional after the break tries from captain Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall pushed the Warriors' advantage to 26-14. Marius Louw's try for the hosts promised a tense finale, but Glasgow held firm to claim a major opening win.

Warriors Take Control After Half-Time

Play started with a bang as skipper Ernst van Rhyn drove over from close range after just two minutes. An early knock to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White introduced 19-year-old Ollie Davies into the fray for his European debut.

The youngster made an immediate impact. Moving to fly-half, he ran a good support line to take an offload and touch down, making the home side's lead.

Facing challenging weather, the Warriors used their forward power to fight back into the contest. A powerful driving maul was finished by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Just before the half, Rory Darge forced his way over, with Adam Hastings' kick making it a two-point deficit at the interval.

Glasgow seized the lead for the first occasion soon after the restart. A poor kick was collected by number eight Dempsey, who fed captain Kyle Steyn to break a challenge and sprint to the line.

Now in the ascendancy, Glasgow secured the fourth try when McDowall ran through a tackle to celebrate his century for the club. That score capped a run of twenty-six consecutive points.

The hosts found a late hope when Louw showed good skills to score. The conversion made it a one-score game with minutes left.

A final opportunity came for them from a line-out in the corner, but they lost the ball, sealing Glasgow's triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale must bounce back ahead of a trip to face Clermont this weekend. In contrast, Glasgow Warriors will host European giants Toulouse to their home ground.

The two sides are placed in a competitive Pool One that also features the English side and Durban-based team 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.

Match Officials

Referee: Pierre Brousset (French).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (French) and Julien Caulier (French).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).