🔗 Share this article

The Scottish side kicked off their Champions Cup campaign in ideal fashion with a crucial four-try away victory against Sale Sharks.

With the elements at their backs, the hosts began strongly and built a fourteen-point advantage within the first quarter. Scores from the Sale skipper and youngster Ollie Davies put them in command.

But, the visitors responded well with two tries prior to half-time. Forward Gregor Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both crossed to narrow the gap.

Further second-half scores from captain Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall extended Glasgow's advantage to twelve points. A late try for Sale promised a nervous finale, but Glasgow stood strong to secure a significant first-round victory.

Glasgow Take Control After Half-Time

The match began with a bang as Sale captain Van Rhyn drove over from short distance after only two minutes. An early injury to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White introduced teenager Ollie Davies into the action for his cup debut.

The youngster made an immediate impact. Moving to fly-half, he took a good support line to take an offload and score, making the home side's advantage.

Facing challenging weather, the Warriors turned to their forward power to get back into the game. A powerful line-out drive was finished by front-rower Gregor Hiddleston. Just before the break, Rory Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' kick making it a two-point deficit at half-time.

Glasgow seized the advantage for the first occasion soon after the restart. A misjudged box-kick was gathered by number eight Dempsey, who fed skipper Steyn to break a challenge and race away to the try-line.

With in the ascendancy, Glasgow secured the fourth try when Stafford McDowall powered past a tackle to score his 100th appearance for the team. That score completed a sequence of twenty-six unanswered points.

Sale found a late hope when Louw showed neat footwork to cross. The kick made it a one-score game with time left.

A final chance came for them from a throw in the corner, but they lost the ball, confirming Glasgow's triumph.

What's Next?

Sale must bounce back ahead of a trip to face Clermont Auvergne this weekend. In contrast, Glasgow Warriors will welcome six-time winners Toulouse to Scotstoun.

The two sides are placed in a strong first pool that also includes Saracens and South African team the Hollywoodbets 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 (France) and Julien Caulier (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).