Russell boots Warriors to victory
The home side flew out of the blocks and took the lead through Tom James' converted try and a Steven Shingler penalty – but Glasgow slowly battled back.
Henry Pyrgos scored the first Warriors try, but the accurate boot of Shingler kept the Blues ahead until Lee Jones crossed.
Shingler put Cardiff ahead again, until Russell won it to maintain their fine start – although Shingler's late miss proved costly.
Glasgow arrived in Cardiff full of confidence following a 100 percent winning start to the new season, and it was a milestone match for Tim Swinson – who made his 100th appearance for the 2015 champions.
In contrast, it has been a tough week for the Blues with the news that key flank Sam Warburton will not play again this year due to injury – but centre Willis Halaholo was deemed fit enough to start.
And they began on the front foot, rushing up in defence and moving the ball quickly.
That proved too much for Glasgow to handle in the early stages as Steven Shingler slipped in Tom James, who darted through a hole in the Warriors defence to score.
Shingler's long-range penalty nudged the Blues ten ahead, before Russell responded for the Warriors.
The Scottish side got a foothold in the match as they started to occupy Blues territory, but Shingler was the next to score with his second penalty of the match.
Yet Glasgow continued to knock on the door, and they broke through shortly before half time after a neat pass inside caught the Blues unaware and Pyrgos scored.
The half-time whistle came at the right time for the Blues, with the Warriors seizing the momentum, and they regrouped at the interval with Shingler booting his third penalty straight after the break.
But Glasgow continued to threaten and they scored their second try to take the lead, Russell collected a high ball, spun out of a tackle and released Lee Jones to score.
A fourth Shingler penalty regained Cardiff the lead, but Glasgow bounced back again through Russell.
Shingler had a chance to win it with a 78th-minute penalty but it sailed wide.
The scorers:
For Cardiff Blues:
Try: James
Con: Shingler
Pens: Shingler 4
For Glasgow Warriors:
Tries: Pyrgos, Jones
Cons: Russell 2
Pens: Russell 2
Teams:
Cardiff Blues: 15 Rhun Williams, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Willis Halaholo, 11 Tom James, 10 Steve Shingler, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Josh Navidi, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Damian Welch, 4 Seb Davies, 3 Keiron Assiratti, 2 Matthew Rees (captain), 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Brad Thyer, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 George Earle, 20 Macauley Cook, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Matthew Morgan.
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Ruaridh Jackson, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Nick Grigg, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Lee Jones, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Henry Pyrgos (captain), 8 Adam Ashe, 7 Callum Gibbins, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 George Turner, 1 Jamie Bhatti.
Replacements: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Alex Allan, 18 D'arcy Rae, 19 Brian Alainu'uese, 20 Chris Fusaro, 21 George Horne, 22 Peter Horne, 23 Niko Matawalu.
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland), Mike English (Wales)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Source: @PRO14Official
