Parks sparks Glasgow

Glasgow Warriors kick-started their Heineken Cup campaign with an exciting 41-31 victory over Viadana at Firhill on Friday night.

Dan Parks was the star man for the Scottish side with 21 points, including a try, two penalties and five conversions as Glasgow earned a bonus point victory.

Despite going behind early, Sean Lineen's men were in cruise control when they opened up a 17-point lead in the first half, but Italian outfit Viadana came firing back and tied the contest to threaten a winning comeback, only for a double sin-binning to ruin their chances.

Former Warrior Calvin Howarth set-up Viadana's early try that gave them a third-minute lead, when his kick led to winger Hayden Pedersen going in under the posts after some hesitant defensive play.

Hefin O'Hare was more than a little fortunate to gather his own fumble before touching down for Glasgow's opening try, which was converted by Parks.

The fly-half booted a penalty to put Glasgow ahead, before he grabbed a try of his own on 21 minutes, which was quickly followed by Graeme Morrison going over just two minutes later.

24-7 looked a winning margin even halfway through the first half, but Viadana started to get back into the contest when Pedersen grabbed his second try with the aid of another defensive lapse, this time by Johnny Beattie.

Howarth's penalty two minutes after the break brought Viadana within touching distance and Aldo Birchall went over for their third try which was converted by Howarth to tie the score.

Glasgow were all of a sudden sweating on the result and even when Viadana saw Birchall and Dion Waller yellow carded to be reduced to 13 men the hosts struggled to get on top.

Sam Pinder went over from close range on the hour mark to finally get Glasgow ahead and also importantly bag a bonus point.

John Barclay added a fifth try on 65 minutes to settle the contest, but Viadana still has the last say with Steven Bortolussi's try making the final score 41-31.

The victory gives Glasgow a shout of making the quarter-finals with their double header against Biarritz coming up.