Sharks fade after strong start as Glasgow Warriors power home in URC opener

Vincent Tshituka's men showed impressive resilience at Scotstoun on Friday night, twice clawing their way back into the contest, but their discipline let them down in the closing stages as the Warriors took full advantage to seal a bonus-point win.

The Durban outfit struck first through Edwill van der Merwe, who finished off a slick move after some concerted forward pressure to mark his first appearance in a Sharks jersey with a try.

Glasgow responded when Kyle Rowe crossed in the corner after Josh McKay's long pass opened up the Sharks' defence. Two TMO interventions ruled out further Warriors scores, but the pressure eventually told when Matt Fagerson powered over on 31 minutes.

The Sharks hit back superbly just before half-time when Tshituka crashed over after a sustained assault on the line. Hendrikse converted to make it 14-12 at the break.

Glasgow's pack seized the initiative soon after the restart, Rory Darge finishing from a driving maul to stretch the lead to 21-12. Yet the Sharks weren't done yet. Lukhanyo Am showed his class on 67 minutes, combining brilliantly with Van der Merwe before diving over to bring the visitors back within two points.

Unfortunately, that would be as close as the Sharks got. Moments later, George Horne sliced through to release Jamie Dobie for Glasgow's bonus-point try under the sticks to make it 28-19.

Replacement Tinotenda Mavesere was sin-binned for the Sharks on 75 minutes, and when the Warriors' maul powered over moments later, referee Ben Whitehouse awarded a penalty try. Lee-Marvin Mazibuko then joined his teammate in the bin, reducing the visitors to 13 men and snuffing out any hopes of a comeback.

Glasgow hammered at the line in the dying seconds, but a knock-on spared the Sharks further damage.

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