Warriors class too much for willing Sharks
MATCH REPORT: The Glasgow Warriors got their United Rugby Championship campaign underway with a bonus-point (35-19) win over a willing Sharks at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday.
The game was in the balance for almost 70 minutes, with two late tries sealing it for the home team.
As was expected, there was that first-round rustiness, particularly from Glasgow.
However, there was plenty of endeavour from both combatants.
The big point of difference was the predictability of the Sharks’ attack, which made it easy reading for a willing Glasgow defence.
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The Sharks, showing a more adventurous streak, went from near their tryline to deep inside the Glasgow 22.
While that did not deliver an immediate score, off-season recruit Edwill van der Merwe eventually got over the line in the eighth minute. He did require the assistance of the TMO to confirm the score.
Glasgow responded with a Kyle Rowe try, coming from some slick hands while playing on a penalty advantage. Scrumhalf George Horne added the conversion for a 7-5 lead.
The Warriors thought they went further ahead in the 21st minute, but the TMO found obstruction in the maul and five minutes later the match officials found a knock-on when the home team was again over the line.
That score eventually came in the 32nd minute, when Matt Fagerson completed a series of forward charges. Horne made it 14-5 with the conversion.
Sharks captain Vincent Tshituka hit back for his team on the stroke of half-time, completing a series of forward charges. Jaden Hendrikse made it 12-14 at the half-time break with the conversion.
A lifting tackle penalty against Van der Merwe gave Glasgow the first real opportunity in the second half, Rory Darge finishing off a fast-moving maul. Horne’s conversion made it 21-12 after 50 minutes.
The game now evolved into an error-riddled arm-wrestle.
The Sharks eventually burst into life, with a Lukhanyo Am cross-field kick to Edwill van der Merwe, who beat a couple of defenders and offloaded to Am to score. Hendrikse added the conversion to make it a two-point game, 19-21.
Again the Warriors replied rapidly, with some great interplay between George Horne and Jamie Dobie, the latter finishing of a crucial try. Horne’s conversion made it a nine-point (28-19) game again with just under 10 minutes remaining.
It went from bad to worse for the Sharks, replacement Tinotenda Mavesere yellow-carded for a cynical offside play.
That was soon followed by a penalty try and another yellow card, replacement Lee-Marvin Mazibuko sent off for cynically collapsing a maul.
Man of the match: Edwill van der Merwe made a statement to Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, showing he is fit and ready to be recalled. Rory Darge was Glasgow Warriors’ most productive forward, but my vote goes to Glasgow scrumhalf George Horne, who showed his class and superior decision making in a game that looked like it could go either way for the better part of an hour.
The scorers
For Glasgow Warriors
Tries: Rowe, Fagerson, Darge, Dobie, Penalty try
Cons: Horne 4, penalty try does not require a conversion
For the Sharks
Tries: Van der Merwe, V Tshituka, Am
Cons: Hendrikse 2
Yellow cards: Tinotenda Mavesere (Sharks, 75 – cynical foul, offside), Lee-Marvin Mazibuko (Sharks, 78 – cynical foul, collapsing a maul near the line)
Teams:
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Kyle Rowe, 13 Stafford McDowall (captain), 12 Kerr Yule, 11 Ollie Smith, 10 Dan Lancaster, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Alex Samuel, 4 Jare Oguntibeju, 3 Fin Richardson, 2 Johnny Matthews, 1 Jamie Bhatti.
Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Gregor Brown, 21 Euan Ferrie, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Adam Hastings.
Sharks: 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Christie Grobbelaar, 10 Jaden Hendrikse, 9 Ross Braude, 8 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima.
Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Tinotenda Mavesere, 22 Jurenzo Julius, 23 Hakeem Kunene.
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Ru Campbell (Scotland), Rob McDowell (Scotland)
TMO: Keith David (Wales)
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