Connacht 15
Glasgow Warriors 10
Connacht delivered their most significant win of the season when, against the odds, they overcame current URC leaders Glasgow Warriors at Dexcom Stadium.,
The Scottish outfit was missing international stars, but it was an enthralling contest. And despite the limited scores, the tension ensured Dexcom supporters were on the edge of their seats till the end.
The game really burst into life in the final quarter, after Connacht had held the most slender of leads. But when Joe Joyce was yellow-carded in the 58th minute, almost immediately Glasgow scored an unconverted try through right wing Kyle Rowe - incredibly it was their first score of the game.
Not only did it give them a 3-5 lead, but the momentum turned in their favour. A minute before the sin-bin was completed, Rowe bagged his second unconverted try, extending the lead to 3-10.
It looked all over for the 8,654 fans in only their second URC fixture at the new Dexcom Stadium, but Connacht showed huge grit and determination to stage an unexpected victory. A penalty provided them with hope, and on this occasion, Connacht went through the phases. Maintaining discipline, Stuart Lancaster’s side eventually delivered when Josh Murphy scored after 73 minutes, and Gilbert converted to close the gap of 10-10.
Minutes later captain Cian Prendergast led from the front, winning another penalty. Opting for touch, the pack drove forward before Finn Treacy broke down the left wing, bringing Connacht deep into the Glasgow half, and replacement Bundee Aki played a crucial role to set up the grandstand finish. From a five-metre line-out with seconds remaining Sean Jansen crashed over for a dramatic win. It was an enthralling second half after an opening half 40 minutes that could only be described as a attritional, with a single penalty giving the home side a slender lead at the break.
Both sides had carved their chances, but neither had the precision to make it count with defences on top. Glasgow, dominating the early 20 minutes, looked to have scored a try soon after the kick-off, but left wing Ollie Smith was held up. Glasgow’s failure to convert two kickable penalties into points proved costly, with Cian Prendergast leading the defensive platform.
However, thereafter Connacht took control, but lacked the cutting edge to make it pay. Eventually, the home side opted to kick a penalty, which was converted by Sam Gilbert for a 3-0 lead after 25 minutes.
Connacht were limited with scoring opportunities, and the best chance saw Sean Jansen held up over the line, while at the other end their defence held firm against a Glasgow side that looked more threatening with ball in hand.
This unexpected victory over the table-toppers has lifted Connacht within touching distance of the top eight, and more importantly has given them a huge boost to challenge on both fronts for the rest of the season.
Scoring sequence: 25m Gilbert pen 3-0; HT 3-0; 62m Rowe try 3-5; 67m Rowe try 3-10; 74m Murphy try, Gilbert con 10-10; 80m Jansen try 15-10.
Connacht: S Gilbert (Lincoln University/St Andrew's College ); S Jennings (Ballinasloe RFC/Garbally College ), H West (Ballina RFC/St Muredach's College ), C Forde (Corinthians RFC/Coláiste Iognáid ), F Treacy (Greystones RFC/Presentation College Bray ); J Ioane (Southern Magpies/King’s College ), C Blade (Monivea RFC/Clarin College ); D Buckley (Creggs RFC/Blackrock College ), D Tierney-Martin (Corinthians RFC/The Bish ), S Illo (Old Wesley RFC/Wesley College ); D O’Connor (St Mary’s College RFC/Blackrock College ), J Joyce (Southmead RF /Filton College ); P Boyle (capt ) (Gorey RFC/Gorey Community College ), S O’Brien (Greystones RFC/Blackrock College ), S Jansen (Green Island/Otago High School Replacements; B Bohan for Buckley, J Aungier for Illo and C Prendergast for O’Brien (all 48m ), B Aki for West, J Carty for Ioane (56m ), C Reilly for Blade (61m ), J Murphy for O’Connor (69m ), M Victory for Tierney-Martin (71m )
Glasgow Warriors: J McKay (Kaiapoi/Christchurch BHS ); K Rowe (Queen Victoria School ), S McDowall, capt (Stewartry ), K Yule (West of Scotland ), O Smith (Marr ); D Lancaster (West Park Leeds ), B Afshar (Edinburgh Academical ); J Bhatti (Hillfoots ), S Stephen (Garioch/Glenalmond College ), M Walker (Dundee Eagles ); J Oguntibeju (Meridian Pinehurst ), A Samuel (Madras ); E Ferrie (East Kilbride ), A Fraser (Dundee Eagles ), A Miller (Preston Lodge/Musselburgh ). Replacements,A Hastings (George Watson's College ) for Yule (18m ); S Talakai (Waverley College ) for Walker, A Craig (Stewartry ) for Oguntibeju, S Vailanu for Fraser and G Hiddleston (Dumfries Saints ) for Stephen (all 48m ), J Oliver for Afshare ( 69m ), M Duncan (Clevedon ) for Vailanu (70m ).
Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU )
