Glasgow start URC campaign with win over Sharks

United Rugby Championship

Glasgow Warriors (14) 35

Tries: Rowe, McDowall, Darge, Dobie, penalty try Con: Horne 4

Sharks (12) 19

Tries: Van der Merwe, Tshituka, Am Con: Hendrikse 2

Glasgow Warriors got their United Rugby Championship campaign up and running with a bonus-point win over the Sharks at Scotstoun.

Tries from Kyle Rowe and Stafford McDowall, sandwiched between scores for the Sharks from Edwill van der Merwe and Vincente Tshituka, gave Warriors a 14-12 lead at the break.

Rory Darge and Jamie Dobie scores, plus a penalty try, secured Glasgow's win despite Lukhanyo Am's response for the visitors.

Next up for Glasgow is a trip to Italy to face Benetton next Saturday.

The Sharks looked threatening early on and began picking holes in the home defence, eventually working an opening for Van der Merwe to go over for the opening try.

Glasgow responded swiftly, Matt Fagerson – a late replacement in the starting line-up for the injured Jack Dempsey - making inroads off a scrum move before the ball was whipped wide for Rowe to score.

Twice in the space of a few minutes, Warriors thought they had extended their lead as Johnny Matthews twice crashed over, but the TMO intervened to first highlight an infringement in the rolling maul and then a knock-on over the goal-line and both scores were ruled out.

The second try arrived when Euan Ferrie carried hard to take Glasgow within a few metres before McDowall showed his own power to drive over the line.

Sharks looked dangerous on the rare occasions they managed to string some phases together and captain Tshituka blasted over right on half-time to bring his side back within two at the break.

The next score was crucial and the home side got it when another rolling maul sent Darge over the line.

Sharks were not finished yet and a clever cross-field kick from Jaden Hendrikse put Van der Merwe away and he fed inside for Springboks star Am to dive over.

Suddenly things were a little nervy around Scotstoun, but it did not last long as substitute Dobie made a sniping break around the fringes, exchanged passes with George Horne and raced in under the sticks to secure the bonus point.

Sharks illegally then halted a Glasgow rolling maul that was heading for the line, a penalty try was awarded and Warriors' job was done.