Guinness PRO12: Benetton Treviso 16-38 Glasgow
Last Updated: 03/04/16 2:47pm
An impressive second-half display saw Glasgow Warriors down Benetton Treviso 38-16 in Italy as they clambered into the Guinness PRO12 play-off places with a bonus-point triumph.
The Italians trailed early on thanks to tries from Jonny Gray and Peter Horne but lead by two points going in to the break through a Angelo Esposito try and the boot of Jayden Hayward.
Glasgow knew they couldn't afford to lose as the battle for a play-off place hots up and former Treviso star Simone Favaro, Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg, Grayson Hart and James Malcolm ensured they left Stadio Monigo with the full five points.
Glasgow headed to Italy on a five-match winning run and they soon settled in to the game when Gray opened the scoring after 12 minutes, powering his way over the line after a period of pressure in opposition territory.
Finn Russell duly added the extras but his opposite number Hayward soon kicked Glasgow back to 7-6 with a pair of quickfire penalties.
Treviso continued to pressure the visitors but were caught out on 29 minutes as the Warriors showed an ability to turn defence into attack.
A sublime break from Henry Pyrgos put Glasgow close to the opposition line and Horne was on hand to crash over from close range with Russell's conversion making it 14-6.
But once again Treviso continued to fight for the game and a slick team move which started on the halfway line got their well-deserved first try of the match.
A slick move sliced open the Scots' defence and Esposito rounded it off with Hayward's conversion narrowing the gap to just one point.
The New Zealander continued to be reliable from the tee as his long-range three-pointer just before the break ensured that Treviso went into half-time 16-14 ahead.
The Warriors, who refused to let their top-four hopes fade without giving it their all, started the second forty with all guns blazing as Favaro bundled over from close-range against his former team to put Glasgow back in the driving seat.
Treviso had won two of their last three matches at home prior to the match and maintained hope of continuing that form as their solid defence continually denied the Warriors a bonus-point try.
But the inevitable breakthrough came on the hour mark as the player of the Six Nations Hogg, jinxed down the right flank and escaped the clutches of the Treviso defence to score.
A fifth try came with 13 minutes remaining as Hart snuck over before another period of intense pressure saw Malcolm cross for the sixth try with the final score coming with seven minutes to go, Malcolm diving over in the corner to complete the rout.
