Glasgow Warriors back on top of PRO12 after win in Connacht
Last Updated: 26/04/15 2:44pm
Glasgow Warriors' clinical finishing proved too much for Connacht as they moved back to the top of the Guinness PRO12 with a 31-13 bonus-point win at the Sportsground.
Connacht controlled much of the first half but trailed 19-6 by its end, Niko Matawalu bagging a brace and Stuart Hogg also dotting down as the Warriors profited from the Irish province's errors.
Aly Muldowney's try brought the hosts closer either side of yellow cards for Glasgow duo Tommy Seymour and Chris Fusaro. However, Adam Ashe's 67th-minute effort sealed the bonus point and Seymour added a flattering fifth before the end.
Results this weekend have seen Connacht relinquish their grip on sixth place in that battle for European Champions Cup qualification. Pat Lam's men are now four points behind Edinburgh with the Scarlets also pushing hard.
The hosts got off to a decent start in Galway, Jack Carty curling over two early penalties, but a couple of loose Connacht lineouts gave the Warriors a foothold and they quickly took full advantage.
Man-of-the-match Henry Pyrgos pinched scrum ball under Kieran Marmion's nose, launching a dangerous spell inside the Connacht 22 which ended with Fraser Brown's brilliant one-handed offload putting Matawalu over in the right corner.
Carty missed two difficult place-kicks as Glasgow were warned by referee Marius Mitrea about their indiscipline, and Connacht’s failure to put more points on the board was emphasised when the Scots stung them with two opportunist tries before the interval.
A series of missed tackles allowed Seymour to sail through midfield and his pass put Hogg over to the right of the posts, before Matawalu intercepted a Robbie Henshaw pass and scored as Connacht tried to counter from deep.
Penalties finally caught up with Glasgow after the restart when winger Seymour saw yellow for a ruck offence, but Connacht's passing let them down as they failed to put an unmarked Matt Healy over out wide.
The hosts' persistence paid off in the 53rd minute as Muldowney reached over from close range after Henshaw and Denis Buckley had both gone close.
Carty added the conversion but he blotted his copybook with a frustrating penalty miss from close range as the gap remained at six points - 19-13 - despite some incisive play.
That was as close as it got as Townsend's charges found their rhythm in attack again.
While flanker Fusaro was in the bin for a high tackle, replacement Josh Strauss broke through to tee up a simple run-in for fellow back rower Ashe. Russell converted and quick hands put Seymour over in the right corner for a closing five-pointer.
