Connacht 30
Rovigo 3
Connacht made hard work of it, but eventually grabbed their second bonus-point win of the European Challenge Cup against Italian visitors Rovigo.
In nearly a mirror of last week's game, Connacht scored two tries in each half, including another two from scrumhalf Frank Murphy, to earn maximum points and keep their qualification hopes alive.
Rovigo proved a gritty outfit to break down, but Connacht were solid enough to establish an 18-3 half-time lead with Ian Keatley adding two penalties to the tally.
On a typically wet evening at the Sportsground, Keatley took advantage to put Connacht in front early on, but Rovigo centre German Bustos missed a sitter in front of the posts after 18 minutes.
However, when Rovigo were once again penalised on the floor, Connacht took their chance with Keatley kicking to the corner. Andrew Farley caught the lineout and from the ensuing maul Adrian Flavin charged through to grab try number one after 22 minutes.
Connacht struck again when Farley, from the lineout, found Murphy who raced through untouched for the second try.
Rovigo fullback Stefan Basson slotted a drop goal after Connacht conceded possession on two occasions late in the half.
But they were back on the attack after the restart and within 10 minutes Murphy grabbed his second try after some solid driving from the pack when Rovigo conceded the penalty in the ruck.
The critical fourth try arrived 10 minutes before the end. Solid grafting from the pack and Andrew Browne's inside pass paved the way for Farley to ensure the bonus point.
Connacht: F Carr; Troy Nathan, G Duffy, K Matthews, D Riordan; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Morris, A Browne, A Farley, D Gannon, R Ofisa, M McCarthy. Replacements: M Swift for Ofisa (half-time ), M Deane for Carr, S Cronin for Gannon (66 mins ), K Campbell for Murphy, B McGovern for Morris, T Donnelly for Keatley, J Lyne for Wilkinson (all 74 mins ).
Rovigo: S Basson; JP Sanchez, N Di Maura, G Bustos, A Bacchetti; S Ambrosio, S Canale; B Fortuna, V Vicere, M Sclosa, M Barion, D Tumiati, S Favaro, N Badocchi, A Giuria.
Replacements: N Pavin for JP Sanchez (38 mins ), A Di Marchi for Fortuna, F Damiano for Vicere (51 mins ), J Immelman for Barion, P Aretusini for de Maura (61 mins ), E Boarato for Ambrosio (66 mins ).
Yellow Card: Vicere (28 mins ), Tumiati (48 mins ).
Referee: D Rosich (France ).
