European Challenge Cup/ Connacht 18 Harlequins 19: Connacht did their European qualifying hopes no favours last evening when they fell to English Premiership visitors NEC Harlequins at the Galway Sportsground.
It was an opportunity lost for Connacht against an infinitely beatable Harlequins outfit who grabbed the winner with a 81st-minute kick after Connacht were penalised at the lineout.
Until then Connacht had held a two-point lead, and with the initiative they had the winning of this match. In truth, however, they simply failed to play to potential.
It was not until midway through the second half that Connacht applied any urgency to this mediocre Challenge Cup opener. But a host of unforced errors too often handed the initiative to the visitors, including two knock-ons from which the visitors scored.
It is a defeat Connacht could well rue, particularly having attracted some 3,000 supporters to the Sportsground, the second largest this season after Leinster.
Drawn in the toughest group, they now face an immediate away trip to Bath and a return to Montpellier in France.
Three seasons ago these two clubs served up a thrilling, two-leg semi-final with Harlequins going on to take the trophy by a single point.
That season Connacht viewed it as an opportunity lost, but on last evening's evidence neither Harlequins nor Connacht look likely cup winners.
Connacht, attired in their alternate all-black gear, went in at the break a point in arrears, having only played with any great intensity in the first and last 10 minutes. In between, the visitors took control, thanks in the main to their pack which had the upper hand, particularly in the scrum.
And with a secure lineout - possibly the best Connacht have come up against this season - Harlequins grabbed more than their fair share of possession.
But they lacked any great conviction outside their pack, with only winger Ugo Monye looking capable of breaking through Connacht's resolute defence.
And once again Connacht's goal-line cover withstood the pressure when Ray Hogan's tackle on his counterpart a couple of metres from the line stopped a likely try.
The opening surge had come from Connacht, and the ease with which they carved open the defence did not suggest Connacht would be restricted to just two tries in the game. Fullback Danny Riordan instigated the move from a poor clearance, but it was Paul Warwick, moved to outhalf following the late withdrawal of Mark McHugh with a groin strain, who set up Matt Mostyn with a perfect kick. Mostyn beat Tom Williams before John Hearty broke through the tackle to score after 13 minutes.
With most action played between the 22s, Harlequins were forced to rely on outhalf Adrian Jarvis, who kept them in the game with three penalties, taking a 5-9 lead after 40 minutes.
But with the last kick of the half Connacht reduced the arrears to a point when Harlequins were penalised for killing the ball and Warwick sent the 37-metre penalty through the posts.
But Warwick spilled the ball minutes after the re-start and from the scrum Jarvis sent a cross-field kick to the wing. The ball bounced kindly for Tom Williams who ran in from easy five metres. Jarvis converted.
With Connacht under pressure up front, the backs tried hard to make inroads against an organised Harlequins defence, and when Riordan was tackled high, Warwick closed the gap to 11-16.
Although playing with greater urgency, the unforced errors started to mount, providing Harlequins with the necessary field position. That they failed to score was testament once again to Connacht's defence and when they turned over vital ball close to their line, it gave Connacht to impetus to counterattack.
Connacht's pack started to take on their opponents, and from two penalties kicked to touch, they were rewarded with a 73rd-minute try after Colm Rigney found the line from a series of close-in drives.
But when Connacht were deemed to have taken out the Harlequins' jumper, Jarvis put them back in front by a point as the game entered injury-time.
Connacht, with the last play of the game, nearly made it. Flanker Ray Ofisa broke from his 22 and with Williams and Ted Robinson in support, the 70-metre move was finally halted with the goalline in sight.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 13 mins: Hearty try 5-0; 21: Jarvis penalty 5-3; 26: Jarvis penalty 5-6; 40: Jarvis penalty 5-9; 40 +3: Warwick penalty 8-9. Half-time 8-9; 43: Williams try, Warwick conversion 8-16; 45: Warwick penalty 11-16; 73: Rigney try, Warwick conversion 18-16; 81: Jarvis penalty 18-19.
CONNACHT: D Riordan; M Mostyn, J Hearty, G Williams, D Yapp; P Warwick, C Keane; R Hogan, A Flavin, B Sturgess, D Gannon, A Farley, J Muldoon, R Ofisa, C Rigney. Replacements: T Robinson for Mostyn (16), B Wilkinson for Hogan (h-t), T Tierney for Keane (55), H Fogarty for Flavin (59), K Matthews for Hearty (64).
NEC HARLEQUINS: M Brown; T Williams, G Duffy, J Turner-Hall, U Monye; A Jarvis, A Gomersall; C Jones, T Fuga, M Ross, O Kohn, N Spanghero, N Easter, P Volley, A Vos. Replacements: L Ward for Ross (75), D Care for Gomersall, S Keogh for Williams, J Evans for Kohn (all 76).
Referee: E Darriere (France).
