Glasgow secured a bonus point victory at Scotstoun to provide New Year cheer on a night where the home side cruised to victory, lifting them into second spot in the table.
Treviso were reduced to 14 men in the early stages allowing Glasgow to dominate, scoring three tries in the first period and two in the second.
Ruaridh Jackson proved reliable from the kicking tee, slotting five kicks between the sticks and collecting the man of the match award. Duncan Weir also added to the scoring with two late conversions.
The home side were unable to keep a clean sheet though, as Treviso notched a second half try.
The Warriors fielded a strong line-up, making only three changes from the side which clinched the 1872 Cup at Murrayfield.
Townsend’s decision to play an experienced 15 paid off as his side sped into an early lead.
After just three minutes, Ruaridh Jackson slammed the ball between the posts from close range.
Treviso were then struck a huge blow with just five minutes on the clock when Manoa Vosawai was sent packing permanently following a dangerous tackle on Glasgow skipper Al Kellock.
Glasgow looked to take advantage of the extra man on the field and it wasn’t long before they doubled their lead with Jackson making no mistake from a penalty.
With 25 minutes gone, Warriors sailed into a 13-0 lead following a converted try. The move started on the flank where Hogg and Seymour combined before the winger’s kick was pounced on by DTH Van Der Mewe who notched his eighth try of the season.
Treviso looked disorganised, and three minutes later they found themselves 20-0 down. An attempted charge down by Stuart Hogg forced Luke McLean to perform an unconvincing clearance. Glasgow immediately attacked through Ryan Wilson who marauded forward before passing to Hogg and he made no mistake in sprinting towards the try line. Jackson then continued his good form and collected the extra points on offer.
As the half drew to a close, Treviso made attempts to get on the scoreboard but they proved in vain after a misplaced pass metres from the line cost them dear. Tommy Seymour intercepted the loose ball and rampaged towards the opposite end of the pitch. Before the half time whistle blew, Jackson was able to extend Warriors lead to 27-0.
In the second period, it was Treviso who struck first with a try from Francesco Minto following a chipped kick which was converted by Kristopher Burton.
Treviso made a vast improvement from their disappointing first half showing but Warriors were still able to add to the score sheet. A darting run from substitute speedster Niko Matawalu led to a try and Duncan Weir was able to convert.
Despite not impressing in the first part of the season, Stuart Hogg was able to boost his Scotland credentials with a late try and Duncan Weir was on hand to make the score 41-7 and add to Treviso’s misery.
After the match, Gregor Townsend said: “There is no doubt the red card helped us, but Treviso are a very good side. Their position in the table is testament to that and they’ve got six wins already this season. We saw in the latter part of the first half and into the second forty that they were willing to have a go and put pressure on our defence.
“But I’m very pleased we scored five tries and took the bonus point in the end that was a big target for us as we went into the second half.
“We’re on a good run at the moment, three wins in a row and that’s something we can build on and take a lot of positives from.”
Glasgow: Hogg, Seymour, Dunbar, Morrison, van der Merwe, Jackson, Pyrgos, Wilson, Harley, Strauss, Kellock, Swinson, Low, Hall, Grant. Replacements: Matawalu for Seymour (50), Murchie for Dunbar (69), Weir for Jackson (63), Eddie for Wilson (40), Araoz for Low (28), MacArthur for Hall (61), Reid for Grant (74). Not Used: Ryder.
Benetton Treviso: McLean, Nitoglia, Loamanu, Sgarbi, Pratichetti, K. Burton, Gori, Barbieri, Zanni, Vosawai, C. van Zyl, Minto, Cittadini, Ghiraldini, Rizzo. Replacements: Favaro for Nitoglia (14), Di Bernardo for Pratichetti (69), Botes for Gori (45), Budd for Barbieri (61), Pavanello for C. van Zyl (59), De Marchi for Cittadini (45), Sbaraglini for Ghiraldini (45), Muccignat for Rizzo (45).
Sent Off: Vosawai (5).
Att: 3,605
Ref: Leo Colgan (IRFU).
