Glasgow Warriors maintained their winning start to the PRO12 with a hard-fought victory over Scarlets in Wales on Saturday evening.

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Despite issues at the set-piece, Glasgow’s pace and accuracy in attack saw them take a 14-6 half-time lead through Ryan Grant and Tim Swinson tries.

Rhys Priestland replied with two penalties before the break and the Welsh region added a couple more after the interval, with Priestland and Jordan Williams successful from tee.

But Duncan Weir’s three-pointer sealed the win which saw them take their place at the summit once more.

Clearly full of confidence from four successive wins, the Warriors played with a high intensity and tempo straight from the kick-off.

Just four minutes had elapsed when British and Irish Lions’ prop Grant powered over, Weir converting, to give them a 7-0 lead.

The visitors were being put under significant pressure in the scrum, but the Welsh region struggled to create many chances, particularly with a backline that contained internationals Jonathan Davies and Priestland. And although the hosts’ fly-half kicked a three-pointer to reduce the arrears, it was Glasgow that continued to look the more dangerous.

Further pressure then resulted in Swinson touching down before the Scarlets’ pivot kept them in contact at the break with a second penalty.

Priestland was on target again early in the second period as Simon Easterby’s men began to dominate territory and possession.

When Sean Lamont was sin-binned, that gave the Llanelli-based outfit an ideal chance to find their way over the try-line.

But it failed to materialise as Glasgow resisted the home side’s onslaught. A Williams’ penalty was all they had to show for that passage of play and Weir’s three-pointer reasserted the visitors’ control on proceedings.

Despite Niko Matawalu being sin-binned late on for a stamp, the Warriors held on for yet another win.

Coach Gregor Townsend said: “The first half was pleasing, full of ambition, and I was pleased too with the defence, but we had a dodgy period for a while in the second half and we needed a great effort to get through it. But they [Scarlets] are a tough side so I am delighted to come away with a win, five from five, before we head into the Heineken Cup.”

Final Score :  Scarlets 12/17 Glasgow Warriors

Scorers

Referee		Giuseppe Vivarini (Italy)
Attendance		6,504
Man of the Match		Nikola Matawalu