Glasgow Warriors continue fine form with solid victory over under-strength Sharks

Glasgow Warriors consolidated second position on the United Rugby Championship table when they clinched a 21-10 win against the Sharks at Scotstoun on Friday.

The home side scored all their points in the opening half with tries from George Horne, Max Williamson and Kyle Steyn paving the way to victory and Horne also succeeded with three conversions.

The visitors’ points came courtesy of five-pointers from Dan Jooste and Ntuthuko Mchunu either side of half-time.

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Mchunu’s score seemed to reinvigorate the Sharks and made for a nervy conclusion to this encounter.

The Durban-based outfit had left many of their Springbok internationals at home to prepare for their forthcoming EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final.

Glasgow had been frustrated by a doughty Sharks defence in their first few attempts to get over the line but the pressure eventually told.

Horne was alert to the possibilities as he took a quick tap penalty before burrowing his way over the line from close range. The scrum-half converted his own score.

The home side continued to push for a second try and it eventually arrived off the back of a flowing team move.

Facundo Cordero fielded Tom Jordan’s wayward pass and weaved his way towards the line before offloading to Zander Fagerson.

When Jack Dempsey was then held up, the Scotland number eight had the awareness to shove a pass to Williamson who crossed the line. Horne again converted.

The Sharks, however, to their credit, did not fold and enjoyed a sustained period of pressure in the Glasgow 22.

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Repeat infringements from the home side kept them out but at the expense of a yellow card shown in Scott Cummings’ direction.

With the Warriors reduced to 14 men, the Sharks took advantage with Jooste crashing over to get his team on the board. Curwin Bosch missed the conversion effort.

There was still time for Glasgow to score again before the half was out. With the clock in the red, it all came down again to Horne’s quick thinking.

The scrum-half’s first pass found Sione Tuipulotu who was held up but Horne’s second ball to Steyn allowed the Warriors captain to burst beyond Murray Koster to score. Horne again added the extras.

The second half was a scrappy affair, with neither side able to get into any kind of rhythm.

It was the Sharks who scored the only points, a terrific run from prop Mchunu finishing with him stretching for the line.

Siya Masuka missed the conversion attempt as Glasgow held on to record a hard-fought victory.

The teams

Glasgow: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Kyle Steyn (c), 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Facundo Cordero, 10 Tom Jordan, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Max Wiliamson, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Johnny Matthews, 1 Nathan McBeth
Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Lucio Sordoni, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Ally Miller, 21 Thomas Gordon, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Ross Thompson

Sharks: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Murray Koster, 12 Francois Venter (c), 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Nick Hatton, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Ethan Hooker

Referee: Federico Vedovellli (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Sam Grove-White (Scotland), Rob McDowell (Scotland)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

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