Connacht 26 Ulster 21ULSTER'S BRIAN McLaughlin is not giving up on the RaboDirect Pro12 title just yet, despite losing to Connacht for the first time since 2005. A bonus point in Saturday's 26- 21 loss to the Westerners helped them stay just one point behind fourth-placed Glasgow – who also picked up a bonus point in their 29-35 defeat to Munster at Musgrave Park. However they will not be expecting any generosity in their final two interprovincial fixtures with Leinster and Munster.
“We came down to Galway with a lot of hope,” said McLaughlin. “We leave very disappointed with the result, but with a bonus point, which allows us to stay close to Glasgow, and we still have two very big games to come.”
Counting the cost of injuries – Paul Marshall took a bang to an already bandaged elbow while scoring a try – and the recovery of his 12 rested players, McLaughlin will still be without his “talismanic” John Afoa. “A huge loss and with his exemplary record we felt his four weeks’ suspension was harsh, but we will not he appealing,” said McLaughlin.
“In the first 10 minutes of the second half we didn’t get our hands on the ball, and they scored a fantastic try – that was a major turning point.” It ensured the home side grabbed their second win on the trot and their first over Ulster in seven seasons.
“We placed a big emphasis on this game and, although we are capable of playing better, we are thankful for the four points,” said Connacht coach Eric Elwood.
The win is Connacht’s third in their last five Pro12 games and, with 15 points from their previous six outings. Elwood expects more this week when they host Aironi in their final Sportsground fixture.
Elwood is also looking at fresh injury concerns ahead of Aironi’s visit this week, losing flanker Ray Ofisa with a shoulder injury and prop Brett Wilkinson with a torn calf. However, in welcoming back number eight George Naoupu and veteran flanker Johnny O’Connor, Elwood had two of the game’s stand-out figures.
Connacht lost both Wilkinson and Ofisa within minutes of Connacht grabbing an eight-point lead through a Miah Nikora penalty and try after Naoupu’s kick-landed within metres of the Ulster line to launch the first raid. But losing Ronan Loughney to the sin-bin allowed Ulster to rally and Paddy Jackson landed two penalties.
Henry Fa’afili’s direction was instrumental in Connacht’s second try when fullback Gavin Duffy rounded Stefan Terblanche out wide, but Ulster finished the stronger. Terblanche’s tactical kicking kept Ulster in the attacking zone, and their ability to disrupt Connacht’s lineout ensured turnover ball. Nigel Brady was the recipient of one misfired lineout at the tail and, from the ensuing ruck, Marshall dived over the short side cover to score, injuring his arm in the process. Jackson added the conversion and a penalty three minutes later to give his side a 16-13 half-time lead.
Connacht’s third try within three minutes of the restart proved the turning point. Winning a penalty from the scrum, John Muldoon set up Tiernan O’Halloran out wide who raced through from 30 metres, with Nikora adding the extras.
Ulster started to make inroads through Nevin Spence, but it was Jackson, restored to outhalf after Humphreys was replaced, who kept Ulster in the game. His 53rd minute try and conversion once again put his side ahead, until George Naoupu’s break resulted in a kickable penalty. Nikora landed the penalty to restore Connacht’s lead before his 74th minute effort sealed victory.
Yellow Cards; Connacht: R Loughney 18m); M Swift (62m). Ulster: L Stephenson (62m), A Birch 72m).
CONNACHT: G Duffy, T O'Halloran, K Tonetti, H Fa'afili, F Vainikolo; M Nikora, F Murphy, B Wilkinson, E Reynecke, R Loughney, M Swift, M McCarthy, J Muldoon, R Ofisa, G Naoupu. Replacements: D Buckley for Wilkinson (10 mins), J O'Connor for Ofisa (13 mins), E Griffin for Fa'afili (55 mins), P O'Donohoe for Murphy (70 mins).
ULSTER: S Terblanche, I Whitten, N Spence, P Jackson, A D'Arcy; I Humphreys, P Marshall, P McAllister, N Brady, T Court,L Stevenson, N McComb, M McComish, W Faloon, R Diack. Replacements: R Pienaar for Marshall (37 mins), C Gilroy for Humphreys and A Macklin for Court (53 m), A Birch for Diack (55 mins), C Black for McAllister and A Kyriacou for Brady (67), I Hendeson for McComb (74 mins).
Referee: D Phillips (IRFU).
