Glasgow Warriors powered to a bonus-point victory over Cardiff, climbing to the top of the United Rugby Championship table with just one round of the regular season remaining.
Jack Dempsey, Kyle Steyn, and Johnny Matthews each crossed the line in the first half, establishing a commanding 21-7 halftime lead for the Scottish side. Josh Adams provided Cardiff’s only response before the break.
Matthews added his second try after the interval, followed by scores from Patrick Schickerling and Kyle Rowe. Danny Southworth and Jacob Beetham crossed for Cardiff, but those efforts were mere consolation for the Welsh visitors.
Ulster’s draw with the Stormers opened the door for Glasgow to reclaim the top spot. The Warriors now travel to Belfast next weekend, knowing a bonus-point win would guarantee a first-place finish and home advantage throughout any potential playoff run.
Cardiff host the Stormers in their final match and still need to secure a top-eight finish to qualify for the play-offs.
After a slow start, Glasgow exploded into life with a slick move that freed Dempsey down the touchline. The number eight was hauled down just short, but a few phases later he powered over for the opening try.
The Warriors then carved Cardiff open from a scrum, sending Steyn clear to score. The visitors responded immediately when Adams darted over from close range, with Sheedy converting to cut the deficit.
Glasgow quickly reasserted control. Matthews, who is departing Scotstoun for French side Montauban this summer, did what he does best by finishing off a rolling maul to score. His second try came in almost identical fashion, securing the bonus point that could prove vital in the final standings.
Cardiff grabbed their second try when replacement prop Southworth burrowed over from close range, but substitute Schickerling responded immediately with Glasgow’s fifth try. Rowe burst through for a magnificent score, and although Beetham crossed late, the contest had long been decided.
Head coach Franco Smith told Premier Sports: “We’re obviously happy, although it wasn’t as fluent as we’ve been. There’s still some work to do. The determination to stay on top was important.” Of player of the match George Horne, Smith added: “He’s a brilliant player, an integral part of the squad. What a competitor he is.”
With the club thanking departing players including Matthews and Dempsey, Smith noted: “We had to deal with the emotion of it all.”
Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl told Scrum V: “We know they’re a quality side. We wanted to have a go, but unfortunately we lost the ball too much in contact during the first half to apply pressure. They just kept coming. We defended well, but it’s not where we wanted to be. When the gap reached 16 points, you could feel the boys wanted to have a go. Fair play to them. But all credit to Glasgow—they were very good at the breakdown tonight.”
**Line-ups**
**Glasgow Warriors:** McKay; Steyn (capt), McDowall, Sione Tuipulotu, Rowe; Lancaster, Horne; Bhatti, Matthews, Z Fagerson, Miller, Samuel, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.
**Replacements:** Hiddleston, Schickerling, Talakai, Oguntibeju, Duncan, Vailanu, Afshar, O Smith.
**Cardiff:** Winnett; Beetham, Adams, B Thomas, Bowen; Sheedy, Mulder; Barratt, Belcher (capt), Assiratti, McNally, Thornton, Botham, D Thomas, Basham.
**Replacements:** E Lloyd, Thyer, Davies, Young, Mann, Bevan, Meyrick, Llewellyn.