PRO 12 Connacht 11 Scarlets 24:CONNACHT'S OPENING two Sportsground fixtures have not run to form for a team that relies on its traditional strength at home.
Having never lost two home league matches in succession, Connacht coach Elwood was a “sick” man on Saturday evening after the visiting Scarlets continued their perfect start to this season’s RaboDirect Pro12, romping to their third bonus-point victory.
That it came in the last minute of play through an intercept by captain Jonathan Davies inside his own 22 was a “devastating blow” for Elwood’s men, who last season opened the campaign with a 13-11 win over the same Welsh team. And, having led at half time by 8-0 against the wind, Connacht conceded three tries in the opening 10 minutes of the second half.
“We set ourselves high standards, particularly at home and we have faulted on two home games, so it is very disappointing,” says Elwood. “How we played the game in the first 40 minutes and then to give them four scores, it’s gut-wrenching. The first 10 minutes of the second half are important in any game – their four tries, well they didn’t really have to work for them.”
After Rhys Priestland missed an early Scarlets penalty, Connacht’s superiority on the scoreboard resulted from an 8-2 penalty count on which they capitalised. Despite a misfiring line-out, the Connacht scrum remained solid, while the pack scrapped at the breakdown, led by Mike McCarthy and the hard-working Ethienne Reynecke.
It provided the platform for an opening penalty which outhalf Miah Nikora struck perfectly to open the scoring after 10 minutes. Connacht’s defence limited the Scarlets to a couple of scoring opportunities, Eoin Griffin’s last-gasp tackle stopping Scott Williams short of the line.
Two minutes before the break Connacht reaped their rewards. Willie Faloon had played his part, while Fetu Vainikolo was stopped just short, but from the recycle McCarthy made the hard yards before Nikora fed Griffin who crossed in the right corner.
“We were very happy with what we were doing in the first half . . .” says Elwood. “But when you are leading 8-0 and you have got the wind at your back and you are at home, that is what is hard to take. We should have pushed on, turned the screw, and come out the other side of a victory.”
Within a minute of the restart debutant Llanelli fullback Jordan Williams had cut through for the first of two tries to narrow the deficit to a singe point and, although Priestland then missed a penalty, right wing George North crossed for a second try to give the visitors the lead after 47 minutes. Four minutes later Connacht’s missed tackle count continues as Williams bagged his second try.
Connacht staged a recovery, but their kicking game stymied any continuity and instead provided the Scarlets with too many opportunities to run at their opponents.
Nikora added a 60th minute penalty to bring Connacht within striking distance and a bonus point, but with the last attack of the game, Davies intercepted Nikora’s long pass and raced downfield for a bonus point try.
CONNACHT: Connacht: G Duffy (capt); T O'Halloran, E Griffin, D McSharry, F Vainikolo; M Nikora, K Marmion; B Wilkinson, E Reynecke, N White; M Swift, M McCarthy; A Browne, W Faloon, E McKeon. Replacements: A Flavin for Reynecke (30 mins), M Jarvis for O'Halloran (50 mins), R Ah Your for White, D Buckley for Wilkinson (58 mins), R Henshaw for Griffin (61 mins), J O'Connor for Faloon (65 mins), D Gannon for Swift (68 mins), D Moore for Marmion (70 mins).
SCARLETS: J Williams; G North, J Davies (capt), S Williams, N Reynolds; R Priestland, G Davies; P John, M Rees, S Lee; S Timani , R Kelly; J Turnbull, J Edwards, K Murphy. Replacements: K Owens for Rees, D Manu for Lee and J Ball for Timani (all 41 mins), A Davies for G Davies, R McCusker for Turnbull (61 mins), G Maule for North, P Edwards for John (65 mins), A Thomas for Priestland (73 mins).
Referee: Neil Paterson(SRU).
