RABODIRECT PRO 12 Zebre 17 Connacht 30:CONNACHT GOT their season back on track but not without a fight against new Italian franchise Zebre in Parma last evening.
Connacht looked well in control with a 23-7 lead early in the second half, but the home side, in their first RaboDirect Pro 12 home fixture at a new Stadio XXV Aprile, responded to the encouraging 2,500 crowd, grabbed two tries, and set up a nail-biting finish.
Late on Zebre could have scored a try which, if converted, would have given them a first victory. Instead replacement Alberto Chiesa spilled the ball from a last-ditch Connacht tackle, and minutes later Mike McCarthy pounced for a third Connacht try, which Nikora converted to seal the win.
It was a flattering scoreline for Connacht, who lived dangerously in the last 20 minutes. They deservedly led 13-0 at the interval having dominated possession and territory in a scrappy first half.
Miah Nikora kicked an early a penalty from the right after Zebre were pinged for offside. Zebre outhalf Luciana Orquera had the chance to level matters, but his touchline effort was wide.
Four minutes Connacht struck. Prop Denis Buckley’s chip through bounced perfectly for the inrushing Tiernan O’Halloran who touched down for Connacht’s first try of the season. Nikora added the extras, and a 38th-minute penalty to stretch the lead to 13 points.
A superb individual try from left wing Samuele Pace inspired Zebre and Orquera’s conversion added impetus to the Italian side’s revival but Connacht hit back via a Nikora penalty.
A pushover try from George Naoupu and Nikora’s conversion gave Connacht some comfort, and they needed it as Zebre’s No 8 Andries Van Schalkwyk burst over from the base of the scrum and when Orquera closed the gap to six points, the home side threatened to cause an upset.
CONNACHT: G Duffy (capt); T OHalloran, E Griffin, M Fifita, F Vainikolo; M Nikora, K Marmion; D Buckley, E Reynecke, R Loughney; M Swift, M McCarthy; J Muldoon, J OConnor, G Naoupu. Replacements: F Murphy for K Marmion (HT), W Faloon for Muldoon (47 mins), M Jarvis for Murphy (59) D Gannon for O'Connor (61), N White for Buckley and R Ah Your for Loughney (65) R Henshaw for Griffin (70m). Yellow cards: S Pace (46), G Duffy (62).
ZEBRE: S Sinoti, G Venditti, A Benettin, G Garcia (cpt), S Pace, L Orquera, A Chillon, S Perugini, C Festuccia, D Ryan, Q Geldenhuys, J Sole, F Cristiano, M Bergamasco, A Van Schalwyk. Replacements: D Giazzon for Festuccia, T Tebaldi for Chillon and E Caffini for Sole (all 50 mins), R Trevisan for Pace (58) A De Marchi for Perugini and L Redolfini for Ryan (65), A Chiesa for Benettin (68), N Belardo for Cristiano (70m).
Referee: Ian Davies(Wales).
