Connacht - 29 Borders - 27: In a game that was as much about the Borders getting off the ground in this season's tournament as Connacht's recovery from a poor sequence of displays, referee Nigel Owens ultimately decided the issue.
The same man who had found an extraordinary amount of injury time in which Munster's Paul Burke denied Connacht a deserved victory, redeemed himself to western supporters with a penalty in the 88th minute on Saturday. It ensured the home side stole the four points, while the Borders, with two bonus points, remain rooted to the league's bottom rung, yet to manage an away win in the Celtic League.
Understandably Borders coach Steve Bates' reaction was one of frustration; Michael Bradley's of tempered delight.
"We have no complaints with Connacht," said Bates. "They took what they were given and that is the way the game goes. But it's frustrating when you get to a situation where a player is penalised for treading on someone and it has been happening all day - and it just happens to be in the eighth minute of injury time."
The Borders led 22-3 after 32 minutes and were still in front by one point until the 88th minute.
"I would be very upset if I was a member of the Borders management. It was daylight robbery, but we are delighted to win," said Bradley
The first try on 15 minutes came after Connacht full back David Slemen lost possession in the tackle, and with Wayne McEntee and John Steel making the inroads, a sweeping move put flanker Kelly Brown through on the left. New Zealander Charlie Hore added the conversion and a 19th-minute penalty before Connacht were rewarded with an Elwood pot at goal.
Two tries in the space of three minutes to captain Paul Thomson and Hore set Connacht back 22-3. Yet the home side responded when a half-break from Elwood set up Conor O'Loughlin after a series of close in attacks.
Although down at 22-10 at the break, Connacht, with the wind at their backs, looked certain of reducing that deficit.
It started when Elwood potted a penalty within a minute. When the Borders substitute scrumhalf Andy Miller made an immediate impact for Hore to score his second try, and a bonus point, the home outfit looked in trouble. Yet once again they were quickly on the offensive.
Captain Andrew Farley secured the vital lineout for a forward surge before James Downey broke. Although held up short, he found Niall O'Brien who crossed in the right corner. Elwood added a penalty to bring Connacht within seven points, but they continued to live on the edge with Miller urging his pack forward. However, with Steve Scott yellow carded, Farley reduced the deficit to 27-26. Elwood's kicking composure produced the necessary victory at the death.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 15 mins: Kelly try, Hore conversion 0-7; 19: Hore penalty 0-10; 27 mins: Elwood penalty 3-10; 29: Thompson try, Hore conversion 17-3; 32: Hore try 22- 3; 35: O'Loughlin try, Elwood conversion 22-20; Half-time: 22-10; 42: Elwood penalty 22-13; 50: Hore try 27-13; 57: O'Brien try 27-18; 66: Elwood penalty 27-21; 74: Farley try 27-26; 88: Elwood penalty 29-27.
CONNACHT: D Slemen; N O'Brien, P Warwick, J Downey, C McPhillips; E Elwood, C O'Loughlin; D McFarland, J Fogarty, P Bracken, P Myburgh, A Farley (capt), P Neville, M Lacey, J O'Sullivan. Replacements: J Muldoon for Neville (half-time), A Clarke for Bracken (62 mins), C Short for Myburgh (62 mins), H Burke for O'Sullivan (82 mins).
THE BORDERS: S Moffat; N Walker, C McRae, C Hore, J Steel; A Warnock, J Weston; P Thomson, R Ford, B Douglas, S Macleod, C Stewart, K Brown, W McEntee, M Blair. Replacements: A Miller for Weston (48 mins), S Scott for Ford (57 mins), A Rennick for Blair (59 mins), Ford for Rennick (79 mins), B McKerchar for McEntee (80 mins). Yellow card: S Scott (74 mins)
Referee: N Owens (Wales).
