MAGNERS LEAGUE:Conncaht 14 Llanelli Scarlets 17 CONNACHT WERE unable to back up their historic victory over Munster with another home win last night. They let slip a 14-3 lead as the Welsh outfit took control in the second half to post two tries. And although they had the opportunity to level with a 76th-minute penalty and a 78th-minute drop goal, outhalf Ian Keatley was wide of the mark with both.
A loser's bonus point was poor consolation as Connacht recorded their third home loss of the league season, while the Scarlets, fifth at the halfway mark, maintained their push for the top.
"The opportunities were there for us," said coach Michael Bradley. "We could have won it comfortably, won it just, got a draw. Instead we ended up getting a bonus point."
The home side deservedly held a 6-3 half-time lead, having dominated the half with purposeful play. They did have to withstand an intense start from the visitors, who were rewarded with a fourth-minute penalty which outhalf Rhys Priestland converted. But thereafter Connacht enjoyed most of the possession and territory.
The pack was working hard, and scrumhalf Frank Murphy was again at the fulcrum of Connacht's attack. When the Scarlets went offside, Keatley judged the cross-field wind perfectly.
The Scarlets did little but rely on the boot of Priestley and replacement Stephen Jones to provide them with field position, and although they did create a couple of chances, Connacht's defence was equal to the task.
Connacht, however, lacked the punch and support play to breach the cover, despite the best efforts of Murphy, Niva Ta'auso, and Keith Matthews in the back line.
But when the former Wallaby number eight David Lyons offended in the ruck, Keatley struck a 24-metre penalty.
With the Scarlets vulnerable under the high ball, Connacht created several half-chances, but not until five minutes into the second half did they get the opening try.
Mike McCarthy started the move, but Keatley showed his speed to slice through the cover on the angle to touch down.
Connacht were playing the better rugby, aided by the wind, and when Keatley added the drop goal on 53 minutes, it put Connacht into the driving seat.
But the Scarlets upped the pressure, and McCarthy conceded an unnecessary penalty. That led to the Scarlets first try as Simon Easterby combined from a lineout to send prop Deacon Manu over, with Jones converting.
The final try in the 74th minute may have included a forward pass, but Jones got the touchdown and the conversion to go in front.
CONNACHT:G Duffy; F Carr, N Ta'auso, K Matthews, L Bibo; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Morris, M McCarthy, A Farley, J Muldoon (capt), R Ofisa, C Rigney. Replacement: M Swift for McCarthy (67 mins).
SCARLETS:M Stoddart; D Daniels, R King, J Davies, G Morris; R Priestland, M Roberts; P John, M Rees, D Manu, D Day, V Cooper, S Easterby (capt), J Edwards, D Lyons. Replacements: S Jones for Regan (temp), Stoddart (h-t), I Thomas for John, L Reed for Day (both 49 mins), K Owens for Rees (50 mins), Y N'Gog for Morris (69 mins), D Jones for Easterby (70 mins), G Cattle for Roberts (76 mins).
Referee:J Jones (Wales).
