Glasgow and Sarries claim wins

Published: Sunday, 13. November, 2011 in category Heineken Cup
Glasgow: Celebrate their dramatic late try

Scotland second-rower Richie Gray scored a dramatic last-gasp try to earn Glasgow an unlikely 26-21 victory over Bath in their Pool Three encounter at Firhill.

Stephen Donald looked to have stolen the headlines after entering the fray late on to make his Bath debut when he kicked a penalty to move the visitors two points clear with just a couple of minutes remaining.

But, after man of the match Duncan Weir had seen his last-ditch drop-goal attempt half charged down, Gray took advantage of a fortunate bounce to race on to the loose ball and go over for the match-winning score.

While tough on Bath, they can have few complaints after failing to make use of their domination of territory and possession for long spells with seven penalties, six from the boot of Tom Heathcote, all they had to show.

Glasgow managed two tries, Gray's late effort coming after Stuart Hogg had nipped over on the hour mark, while Weir contributed four penalties.

Meanwhile Saracens made the ideal start to their campaign with a bonus-point 42-17 victory over Treviso in what will be their only genuine home European tie before the knockout stages.

Owen Farrell played a key role with a try, four conversions and three penalties for a personal points tally of 22, while David Strettle, Chris Wyles, Ernst Joubert and debutant John Smit also crossed for tries in a convincing Saracens win.

Treviso, who trailed 16-3 at half-time, claimed two late tries through replacements Franco Sbaraglini and Gonzalo Padro but it was too little too late for the Italian side.

Gloucester fell to an agonising defeat at Stade Ernest-Wallon as Toulouse pounced with a late try to snatch victory in the opening round of the Heineken Cup.

The Cherry and Whites had looked destined to seal an historic win in Toulouse after tries from Henry Trinder and Charlie Sharples, but the aristocrats of Europe pounced in the dying stages through Clement Poitrenaud.