Murchie and Reid's first half scores put the hosts 20-6 up at the break and Seymour ran riot in the second period as Townsend's troops climbed to second in the table.
But it was Matawalu, in only his second-ever start for the side, who stole the plaudits, and deservedly so according to Townsend.
"The Dragons really came out and played," he told www.glasgowwarriors.org.
"We expected them to kick more but you could really see the work we put into our defense and this has put us in a good position, in the table, going forward.
"Niko fully deserved his start at nine and it was clear he was working really hard on his game. He is always the last player off the training pitch and his performance was electric."
And flanker Josh Strauss concurred with his coach, highlighting Matawalu's impact both on and off the pitch since his arrival at Scotstoun.
"Niko has already created a huge impression since he arrived," he added.
"He even makes training fun. He is a livewire who makes things happen.
"But I wouldn't want anyone thinking it was a one-man show - the whole squad performed well.
"We started at pace and kept up the momentum.
"When you do that, you force the opposition into mistakes, especially when you retain the ball as we did."
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