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Glasgow Warriors kicked off their European campaign in ideal fashion with a valuable four-try away victory against Sale.

With the elements at their backs, the hosts started the brighter and built a 14-0 advantage within the first quarter. Tries from the Sale skipper and youngster Ollie Davies gave them early control.

But, the visitors fought back admirably with a pair of scores prior to the interval. Hooker Gregor Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both crossed to reduce the deficit.

Additional after the break scores from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall extended Glasgow's advantage to twelve points. A late try for Sale set up a nervous finish, but the visitors held firm to secure a major first-round win.

Warriors Take Control Following Interval

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

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

Facing difficult conditions, the Warriors turned to their set-piece to fight back into the contest. A strong line-out drive was finished by front-rower Gregor Hiddleston. Just before the half, Rory Darge barged over, with Hastings' kick making it a two-point deficit at the interval.

Glasgow seized the advantage for the first occasion early in the second half. A misjudged kick was gathered by number eight Dempsey, who fed skipper Kyle Steyn to break a tackle and sprint to the try-line.

Now in the driving seat, they clinched the bonus point when Stafford McDowall ran through a tackle to score his century for the team. That score completed a sequence of twenty-six consecutive points.

The hosts gave themselves a lifeline when Marius Louw used neat footwork to score. The kick made it a five-point game with time left.

One last opportunity arose for them from a line-out in the corner, but they lost the possession, confirming Glasgow's triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale must regroup ahead of a trip to face Clermont Auvergne this weekend. In contrast, Glasgow will host European giants Toulouse to Scotstoun.

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

Officials

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