Rampant Warriors in command at the top

■By BEN JAYCOCK

Glasgow …………40pts

Tries: Dempsey 19, Steyn 24, Matthews 32, 54; Schickerling 65, Rowe 74 Conversions: Horne 20, 26, 33, 55; Smith 74

Cardiff …………… 17pts

Tries: Adams 28, Southworth 59, Beetham 80 Conversion: Sheedy 29

GLASGOW Warriors surged back to the top of the URC table with a commanding victory at Scotstoun, keeping alive hopes of securing home advantage throughout the play-offs.

With rivals Stormers managing only a draw at Ulster, Glasgow took full advantage by running in six tries on an emotional night that marked the final home appearance for several departing players.

Glasgow head coach Franco Smith said: “We are happy, although it wasn’t as fluent as we’ve been. There’s still a bit of work to do. The determination to stay on top of the game was important.”

George Horne was again the star for Glasgow and Smith added: “He’s a brilliant player and an integral part of the squad. What a competitor he is.”

With the club paying thanks to those moving on at the end of the season, including try-scorers Johnny Matthews and Jack Dempsey, Smith added: “We had to deal with the emotion of it all.”

The contest took time to ignite, but once Glasgow found their rhythm there was little stopping them. Dempsey opened the scoring after bursting down the touchline before finishing off the move himself from close range.

Moments later the hosts struck again, carving Cardiff apart from a scrum move that released captain Kyle Steyn to finish in the corner. Cardiff threatened a fightback when Josh Adams darted over, with Callum Sheedy converting, but Glasgow regained control before the interval through the familiar sight of departing hooker Matthews rumbling over from a rolling maul for a 21-7half-time lead.

Matthews repeated the trick shortly after the restart to secure the bonus point. Cardiff replacement Danny Southworth crossed from close range, but Glasgow immediately responded through replacement prop Patrick Schickerling.

The pick of the tries came from Kyle Rowe, who sliced through the Cardiff defence for a superb solo effort, while Jacob Beetham’s late score for the visitors served only as consolation.

Glasgow now head to Belfast knowing a bonus-point victory over Ulster would secure top spot in the table and a potential route to the final entirely on home soil.

Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl said: “They are a quality side, and we wanted to have a go at them, but unfortunately, we lost the ball too much in contact first half to apply that pressure and then they just keep coming. We defended well, but it’s not where we wanted it to be.”