Matawalu magic puts Warriors on top
Niko Matawalu defied the conditions to produce a scintillating scrumhalf display and temporarily propel Glasgow Warriors back to the Pro12 summit with a 22-7 win over the Scarlets.
Alex Dunbar, Peter Murchie and DTH van der Merwe all touched down for last year's beaten finalists, while flyhalf Finn Russell kicked seven points in horrid conditions.
Liam Williams grabbed the only Scarlets try on the match, while Rhys Priestland could only muster a single conversion from the tee.
The Warriors boasted a formidable home record prior to the visit of the Scarlets - winning their last 14 Pro12 games at Scotstoun stadium.
But an in-form Scarlets side were certainly not going to go down without a fight having beaten Ospreys 22-10 last time out.
From kick-off it was clear the conditions were going to be a telling factor as first Murchie knocked forward a simple pass, before Scarlets lock Jake Ball was guilty of the same error when in possession.
Excellent pressure from the Glasgow forwards forced a turnover just inside the Scarlets half on five minutes and after kicking for the corner the home side inflicted a sustained period of pressure.
Some slick passing from scrumhalf Matawalu almost carved out the first try of the match and although referee George Clancy brought play back for a penalty, Russell's kick was blown wide of the target by the wind.
A quick break by Matawalu almost unlocked the Scarlets defence but a good tackle from Aled Davies put enough pressure on the Fijian to stop him finding his wing.
Scarlets had a penalty of their own on 10 minutes but Priestland couldn't quite match his direction with the strength of the wind as his effort missed right of the posts.
The flyhalf had another penalty from halfway not long afterwards, although a poor connection resulted in his effort bouncing just inside the Glasgow 22.
Josh Strauss thought he had got the game's first score on 20 minutes, burrowing over the line after several phases of play, but an inconclusive video referral meant referee Clancy couldn't award the try.
The Scarlets defence was standing firm, forcing Russell to try a kick through which was easily cleared by the visitors.
But Glasgow's patience was rewarded on 26 minutes when the move was moved quickly out wide where Sean Lamont drew the defenders and offloaded to Dunbar, who dotted down for the game's first points.
Russell's brave attempt at a conversion had no chance in the wind and although Glasgow had their opponents camped in their own 22 for the next 10 minutes, it was the Scarlets who stole the lead at the break.
A loose Matawalu pass was intercepted and when the ball was recycled Davies found the line of Williams and the fullback held off two challenges to dive over.
Priestland added the extras to give the Scarlets a 7-5 lead going into the break but there was an immediate response from the hosts.
Glasgow were immediately on the front foot and when the ball was spread wide left to Murchie he finished well in the corner, Russell converting an outrageous kick from the touchline.
Scarlets had their first sustained period of pressure on the hour, putting together multiple phases, but the Glasgow defence made tackle after tackle to eventual force the visitors into an error.
Russell, now enjoying the strong wind at his back, kicked another penalty on 66 minutes for 15-7 to give his side some breathing space.
And that lead was extended with 10 minutes remaining as great pressure by replacement Fraser Brown forced Davies to miss his kick and with the ball turned over it was Van der Merwe who touched down.
Russell kicked the extras, giving Glasgow time to go for the bonus point score, but they were unable to find another try.
* In Friday's other Round 13 match Sam Hidalgo-Clyne shrugged off the wind and rain to produce a second-half kicking masterclass and see Edinburgh snatch a 16-13 win over Connacht - the first time the Irish province have lost at the Sportsground this season.
Dave Denton's first-half try was cancelled out by a penalty try for hosts Connacht just before half-time, but Hidalgo-Clyne's three second-half penalties saw the visitors snatch this Pro12 thriller.
Friday's scores and scorers!
Glasgow Warriors 22-7 Scarlets
The scorers:
Tries: Dunbar, Murchie, Van der Merwe
Cons: Russell 2
Pen: Russell
Try: L Williams
Con: Priestland
Teams:
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Peter Murchie, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Alex Dunbar, 12 Peter Horne, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Niko Matawalu, 8 Josh Strauss (captain), 7 Ryan Wilson, 6 Leone Nakarawa, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Mike Cusack, 2 Pat MacArthur, 1 Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Ryan Grant, 18 Euan Murray, 19 James Eddie, 20 Will Bordill, 21 Ali Price, 22 James Downey, 23 DTH van der Merwe.
Scarlets: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Hadleigh Parkes, 13 Regan King, 12 Scott Williams (captain), 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Aled Davies, 8 Rob McCusker, 7 John Barclay, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Johan Snyman, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Rob Evans.
Replacements: 16 Torin Myhill, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Peter Edwards, 19 George Earle, 20 Lewis Rawlins, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Steven Shingler, 23 Jordan Williams.
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland), Sam Grove White (Scotland)
TMO: David Changleng (Scotland)
Connacht 13-16 Edinburgh
The scorers:
Try: Penalty try
Con: Nikora
Pens: Nikora 2
Try: Denton
Con: Hidalgo-Clyne
Pens: Hidalgo-Clyne 3
Yellow cards: Ben Toolis (Edinburgh, 36), Finlay Bealham (Connacht, 69)
Teams:
Connacht: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Darragh Leader, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Danie Poolman, 10 Miah Nikora, 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 Eoin McKeon, 7 Willie Faloon, 6 John Muldoon (captain), 5 Aly Muldowney, 4 Quinn Roux, 3 Rodney Ah You, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Denis Buckley.
Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 George Naoupu, 21 John Cooney, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Dave McSharry.
Edinburgh: 15 Jack Cuthbert, 14 Dougie Fife, 13 Matt Scott, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Greig Tonks, 9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 8 David Denton, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Roddy Grant, 5 Ben Toolis, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 WP Nel, 2 Ross Ford (captain), 1 Alasdair Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Neil Cochrane, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 John Andress, 19 Fraser McKenzie, 20 Tomas Leonardi, 21 Sean Kennedy, 22 Jade Te Rure, 23 Andries Strauss.
Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Assistant referees: Andy Brace (Ireland), Olly Hodges (Ireland)
TMO: Dermot Moloney (Ireland)