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)
Glasgow Warriors began their European journey in ideal fashion with a valuable four-try win on the road against Sale.
With the elements at their backs, Sale started the brighter and built a 14-0 lead within the first quarter. Tries from Ernst van Rhyn and youngster Ollie Davies gave them early control.
However, Glasgow responded well with two tries prior to the interval. Hooker Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to narrow the gap.
Further second-half tries from Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall pushed the Warriors' lead to twelve points. Marius Louw's reply for the hosts promised a nervous finale, but the visitors stood strong to claim a major opening victory.
Play began with a bang as skipper Ernst van Rhyn drove over from close range after just two minutes. An early knock to midfielder Ma'asi-White introduced 19-year-old Ollie Davies into the action for his European debut.
The youngster made an instant impact. Moving to fly-half, he took a good angle to take an offload and touch down, extending Sale's advantage.
Against difficult conditions, the Warriors used their forward power to get back into the contest. A powerful driving maul was touched down by front-rower Hiddleston. Just before the break, Rory Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' kick making it a narrow deficit at the interval.
Glasgow took the advantage for the first time soon after the second half. A misjudged kick was gathered by No. 8 Dempsey, who set up captain Kyle Steyn to break a challenge and race away to the try-line.
Now in the ascendancy, they clinched the bonus point when Stafford McDowall powered past a tackle to score his century for the team. This try completed a sequence of 26 unanswered points.
Sale gave themselves a late hope when Louw showed neat footwork to score. The conversion made it a five-point game with minutes remaining.
One last opportunity came for Sale from a line-out in the corner, but they failed to secure the ball, sealing Glasgow's triumph.
Sale must bounce back ahead of a journey to face Clermont Auvergne next Saturday. In contrast, Glasgow will welcome European giants Toulouse to Scotstoun.
The two sides are placed in a strong Pool One that also includes the English side and Durban-based outfit the Sharks.
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.
Referee: Pierre Brousset (French).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France) and Julien Caulier (French).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).
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