By Iestyn Thomas
Cardiff fell to their first URC defeat of the season in a 13-try thriller, as Glasgow Warriors showed their class in the Welsh capital.
Five first half tries – in an overall tally of eight – provided the platform for the defending champions, before three second half scores from Matt Fagerson, Kyle Rowe and Tom Jordan wrapped up the contest.
The opening score for Glasgow came after six minutes as scrum-half Jamie Dobie broke through the hosts’ defence and beat the final defender.
But it was Dobie’s error that gifted Cardiff their opening try, with a slight push from flanker Dan Thomas meaning his clearing box kick went nowhere, resulting in the openside having the simple task of grounding the ball.
The hosts took the lead at the end of the first quarter after a destructive scrum gave Mason Grady a platform to carry, before the ball was spread wide to full-back Cam Winnett to cross from short range.
Glasgow responded three minutes later with wing Kyle Rowe crossing after breaking through the tackles of Aled Davies and Rey Lee-Lo, before fly-half Tom Jordan intercepted a Callum Sheedy pass to score a third try of the night.
Sione Tuipulotu claimed the pick of the first half tries as he beat multiple Cardiff defenders off first phase to give his side a try bonus point.
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A fifth try from Glasgow on the stroke of half-time through outside-centre Huw Jones, gave the visitors a comfortable 33-12 lead.
Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt rang the changes at the interval with a new front row and a new pair of half-backs – and there was an immediate response.
Irish international Ed Byrne powered over from short range after 46 minutes, before some brilliant off-loads from wings Grady and Harri Millard, with replacement Mackenzie Martin on the receiving end to score.
A penalty from substitute Tinus De Beer closed the gap to four points, before the visitors responded with the rolling maul as flanker Fagerson scored in the 65th minute.
Cardiff fought back with a maul of their own which was brought down short of the line, before blindside flanker Ben Donnell powered over from short range.
But there was still time for two Glasgow tries in the final 10 minutes, with Rowe and Jordan picking up a second try each.
Cardiff face another home game in round four as they welcome the Scarlets, with the Warriors hosting Italian side Zebre.