Glasgow Commanding in Four-Try Victory at Sale Sharks in Champions Cup Opener

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

With the elements at their backs, Sale started strongly and raced to a fourteen-point advantage within 20 minutes. Scores from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

But, Glasgow responded well with two tries before the interval. Forward Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both crossed to narrow the gap.

Further after the break tries from captain Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall extended Glasgow's advantage to twelve points. A late reply for Sale promised a nervous finish, but Glasgow held firm to claim a major first-round win.

Warriors Take Control After Half-Time

The match started with a bang as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn scored from close range after just two minutes. A first-half knock to midfielder Ma'asi-White brought teenager Ollie Davies into the action for his European debut.

The youngster made an immediate contribution. Switching to fly-half, he ran a good angle to take an pass and score, extending Sale's advantage.

Facing difficult conditions, the Warriors turned to their forward power to get back into the contest. A strong line-out drive was touched down by front-rower Hiddleston. Just before the break, Darge barged over, with Hastings' kick making it a two-point deficit at the interval.

Glasgow took the advantage for the first occasion early in the restart. A poor box-kick was gathered by number eight Dempsey, who fed captain Steyn to break a challenge and race away to the try-line.

With in the ascendancy, they clinched the bonus point when Stafford McDowall ran through a defender to score his century for the club. This try capped a sequence of 26 unanswered points.

Sale found a late hope when Louw showed neat skills to cross. The conversion made it a five-point game with time left.

A final chance arose for them from a line-out in the corner, but they failed to secure the ball, sealing the Warriors' triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale must bounce back ahead of a trip to face Clermont this weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow will welcome six-time winners Toulouse to their home ground.

The two sides are placed in a competitive first pool that also features Saracens and Durban-based outfit the Sharks.

Line-ups

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