SALE SHARKS 45 GLASGOW 3

The Sharks broke their Heineken Cup duck at Heywood Road as they shattered Glasgow's European dream.

The Glasgow Warriors had needed to claim a first ever away triumph in the tournament to keep alive their hopes of squeezing into the money-spinning quarter finals.

But they were clincically killed off as Bryan Redpath's men were handed two soft tries in quick succession midway through the first half - then turned on the style after the break.

And the sloppy Scots were left to turn their focus on reviving their Inter-Pro campaign in their quest to qualify for next season's top European event.

Glasgow had made the ideal start - testing the home defence straight from the kick-off and breaking the deadlock in the fifth minute, only to suffer another major fadeout.

They took the home markers by surprise with a sizzling backline move featuring a surge by Glenn Metcalfe and a strong charge down the touchline by Stuart Moffat.

Moffat burst through three challenges before being hauled down just a couple of strides from the target.

Warriors kept up the pressure to carve out another scoring chance on the other wing before Tommy Hayes edged them in front.

He struck his 45-metre angled penalty beautifully and enjoyed a slice of good fortune as the ball landed on top of the crossbar and bounced over.

Sale hit back in positive fashion but were unable to breach the Glasgow rearguard until midway through the half. And they killed the contest with two gift tries in as many minutes.

England outside half Charlie Hodgson was twice involved before wing Mark Cueto took full advantage of slack midfield cover to dart in beside the uprights - giving Hodgson a simple conversion.

Warriors were then temporarily reprieved as a straightforward Hodgson penalty crashed back off the post.

Jon Petrie spilled the rebound, however, and from the scrum inside the 22-zone it was the other wing, Steve Hanley, who darted in at the corner.

Hodgson made amends for his missed penalty by confidently adding the extra points from wide on the left - and suddenly the Scots were left in their wake.

Even worse was to come for Petrie as he was yellow-carded for preventing Sale from claiming the ball in a blatantly offside position in a ruck. And Hodgson added a further three points to the tally.

Glasgow held territorial advantage before the break, but never looked like turning pressure into scores.

The trend continued after the restart with Warriors seeing plenty of the ball - but losing out in the finishing stakes.

And any prospect of a meaningful fightback was snuffed out by British and Irish Lion Jason Robinson.

The former rugby league superstar sliced through the middle and despite being huckled five metres from the line he had enough momentum to take him over.

Hooker Andy Titterrell was next to get in on the act with Hodgson taking his conversion total to four.

Sub Vaughan Going and man of the match Hodgson added late tries - the latter goaling both to round off the rout.

Sale Sharks 45 Glasgow Rugby 3
HT: 17-3 Attendance: 3,967
Sale Sharks: Tries - S Hanley, M Cueto, J Robinson, C Hodgson, A Titterrell, V Going; Cons - C Hodgson 6; Pen - C Hodgson
Glasgow Rugby: Pen - T Hayes