Nikola Matawalu grabbed two tries at the Arms Park

Glasgow ran out comfortable winners in the end but for an hour there was little to choose between the teams.

Glasgow went into the break 13-6 ahead after two penalties each from Rhys Patchell and Henry Pyrgos and a converted try from Sean Lamont.

The Warriors kicked on in the second half and scored two converted tries through Nikola Matawalu and added two penalties through Duncan Weir to seal a comprehensive victory.

Cardiff took the lead after the third minutes through Patchell but his penalty was cancelled out by Pyrgos's penalty five minutes later before the Glasgow scrum-half added another shortly after.

The two sides exchanged possession before Patchell levelled the scores with his second penalty of the game. Glasgow re-established their lead after half an hour as Lamont ran in the first try of the match with Pyrgos making it three from three with the boot.

Cardiff closed the gap after the break with another penalty from Patchell from the prior scrum and the tide looked to be turning as Patchell scored a fourth penalty and Gordon Reid was sent to the sin bin to leave Glasgow temporarily down to 14.

Matawalu restored the visitors' lead just shy of the hour mark following confirmation from the TMO after an excellent interception with Duncan Weir putting them two scores in front.

The Warriors were awarded a kickable penalty a minute later and Weir did just that, giving them an 11-point lead.

Cardiff looked to get themselves into the game following an interception but play was pulled back to their 5-metre line and Weir's penalty stretched their lead to 14 points.

Matawalu scored his second try of the game after taking a pass from DTH van der Merwe on the outside to put the Warriors out of sight.