Connacht 38
Benetton 30
Connacht delivered a vital win to keep alive their hopes of making the URC top eight when prevailing over Benetton at Dexcom Stadium.
In a tight table, Connacht delivered in a hard-fought battle with the Italians. For much of the match it looked like going the Italians’ way, but Pete Wilkins’ side took control in the final 10 minutes and delivered.
It was not pretty, but eventually six tries to Benetton’s three ensured the points went to the home side as Connacht’s defence proved crucial in the closing stages.
Connacht, having won 11 of their 12 meetings in Galway against the Italians - the only defeat being a 13-15 loss in December 2011 - looked far from the winning article in the opening 60 minutes against an Italian outfit stacked with internationals - some 15 in the squad with a total of nearly 400 caps.
However Connacht enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, and made it count within six minutes - Finn Treacy, in his first start, had the wherewithal to chip ahead and made the line for the opening score, with Ioane adding the extras.
On the front foot, Connacht should have added to the score, but Heffernan lost the ball when tackled over the line. However by the 13th minute Shayne Bolton delivered a second, dancing through players to put the home side 12 points up.
However, they were soon brought to heel by the visitors, who matched their opponents with ball in hand. Having opted to kick a penalty to open their scoring, they took control. Within three minutes Ignacio Mendy had grabbed their first try, courtesy of strong play from Marco Zanin, and thereafter they continued on the front foot. By the 21st minute the Italians had struck for their second, winning possession from a scrappy aerial battle, and Andy Uren grabbed the touchdown, closing the gap after 25 minutes.
Penalties started to prove costly for Connacht and the visitors took full advantage. Allied to a superior scrum, it kept the Italians on the front foot, and they took the lead with superb try from Marco Zanon, putting Benetton ahead bay 12-17 after 27 minutes, Albornoz adding the extras to stretch the lead to 12-24. Connacht could feel aggrieved with harsh penalty, which the Italian outhalf also kicked for a 12-27 lead, but eventually Connacht found some momentum, thanks to Hugh Gavin who broke through from a clever kick ahead by Josh Ioane. Blade took it within five metres of the line, and Paul Boyle, with the help of his pack, was able to force his way over for a much-needed score, with Ioane adding the conversion to narrow the gap to 19-27 at half time.
Connacht, however, played with greater patience in the second half, and with some superior phase play, keeping the ball alive. Eventually Shamus Hurley Langton dived over for a vital score after 48 minutes, with Ioane added the extras, closing the gap to 26-27.
A penalty provided Albornoz with a chance to put his side ahead on 60 minutes, but eventually Connacht made possession count in the 67th minute. Hanrahan added impetus, and from his crossfield kick, eventually Shane Bolton dived over on the right wing - Hanrahan’s conversion disallowed due to time limit.
However, it had put Connacht in front for the first time since the early stages, giving them huge momentum for the final minutes. The pack paved the way with some huge carries, and after several attempts at the try line, eventually replacement scrumhalf Matthew Devine found his way over, Hanrahan adding the conversion on 73 minutes for a 38-30 lead and vital victory.
Scoring sequence: 6m Treacy try, Ioane con 7-0; 13m Bolton try 12-0; 17m Albornoz pen 12-3; 19m Mendy try, Albornoz con 12-10, 25m Uren try, Albornzo con 12-17; 30m Zanon try, Albornoz con 12-24, 34m Albornoz pen 12-27, 38m Boyle try, Ione con 19-27. HT 19-27. 47m Hurley-Langton try, Ioane con 26-27; 59m Albornoz pen 26-30; 66m Bolton try, 31-27. 72m Devine try, Hanrahan con 38-30.
Connacht: P O’Connor, S Bolton, H Gavin, C Forde, F Treacy, J Ioane, C Blade, P Dooley, D Heffernan, J Aungier, D Murray, D O’Connor, C Prendergast (C ), S Hurley-Langton, P Boyle. Replacements, D Tierney-Martin for Heffernan, S Illor for Aungier (both 645 ), M Devine for Blade, D Buckley for Dooley and J Murphy for Boyle (all 52 ), S Illo, J Murphy, O Dowling for O’Connor, JJ Hanrahan for P O’Connor (all 62 ), D Tierney-Martin for Heffernan, S Illo for Aungier (both 64 ), D Hawkshaw for Bolton (68 ).
Benetton: R Smith, I Mendy, M Zanon, M Fekitoa, M Gallagher, T Albornoz, A Uren, T Gallo, B Bernasconi, G Zilocchi, G Marini, E Snyman (C ), A Izekorm, J Kingi, T Halafihi. Replacements, R Favretto for Marini (49 ), S Koroiyadi for Halafihi and T Pasquali for Zilocchi (62 ), A Garbisi for Uren, A Creevy for Bernasconi and N Chaparro for Gallo (both 64 ), J Umaga for Albornoz (68 ), Garbisi for Uren (69 ), Zanandrea for Fekitoa (74 ).
Referee: B Breakspear (Wales ).
