Celtic League/Connacht -16 Dragons - 9: Connacht came up trumps in the last of their six consecutive home matches to ensure they regained their Magners Celtic League momentum at a critical juncture.
Having lost their last two outings against Irish provincial sides, Connacht needed to get something from this final home match before the break for European action. Three wins and a draw from this opening group of seven is a handy return for the Westerners, keeping them in the top half of the table.
"At this point we needed to get a win and we now have a good return from our seven matches, which is what we have worked hard for," said Connacht coach Michael Bradley.
"We probably could have got more if we had held our composure, but I think the manner of this win was important. Despite losing to Leinster and Ulster, there were elements of our game which we brought forward to this match which was critical.
"The fight for the last European Cup match is usually between ourselves, the Borders or Glasgow, and the Dragons. Now, having beaten two of those sides already this season, it is important for our key objectives this season."
Connacht did enough in the first half to open up a creditable lead given the strength of the wind, nabbing a 37th-minute try to stretch the margin to 16-0.
And although they came under immense pressure in that first 40 minutes, their trademark defence kept the visitors scoreless.
When Connacht turned around in the second half, they took control against a Dragons outfit that never really threatened the line.
"In the last three weeks our goal-line defence has been excellent. We came under an awful lot of pressure, but although the Dragons kept pressing, they came away with no score," said Bradley.
Winning the toss and opting for the wind on this occasion proved fruitful, with outhalf Mark McHugh hitting the target on three occasions. Although it took 12 minutes, McHugh had no difficulty with the 40-metre kick when the Dragons infringed in the ruck.
Four minutes later he grabbed the opportunity to post a 36-metre drop goal as Connacht needed a return for their first-half wind advantage.
But they did not have it all their own way as the Dragons took control, putting the home side under sustained pressure. The immense Colin Charvis, Jamie Ringer and Nic Fitisemanu were influential figures: twice they got over the line but were held up by the home side.
And despite opting to scrum two penalties against a Connacht pack that has struggled in this area, they came away with nothing for their first-half efforts.
Instead Connacht wrested the initiative, punishing the Newport Gwent outfit at the breakdown again with a McHugh penalty, before young fullback Danny Riordan set the Sportsground alight.
It was a timely boost for the home side, secured from Connacht's reliable lineout, before Riordan produced the necessary footwork, dancing through several players before finding flanker Ray Ofisa, who finished off with the game's only try. McHugh's conversion stretched the lead to 16-0 which at the time was a reasonable margin given the breeze.
As expected the Dragons started to chip away at Connacht's lead. The first opportunity came on 50 minutes when outhalf Ceri Sweeney punished Connacht for a hand in the ruck.
Seven minutes later another rucking infringement reduced the arrears to 16-6, and Sweeney notched a third penalty by the 63rd minute.
Connacht may have struggled in the scrum, cutting off one supply of possession, and they did give away ball too cheaply in the early stages, but when they kept ball in hand they started to make inroads.
Once again Colm Rigney, John Muldoon, and Andrew Farley typified Connacht's effort and commitment, while Paul Warwick, Riordan and Matt Mostyn were creative in the backs, well supported by scrumhalf Tom Tierney, who added a sense of urgency when introduced.
As the Dragons' challenge petered out, it was Connacht who could have added to their score, with Mostyn carving open the space for Riordan. The Connacht youngster, who was halted by an ankle tap, continues to be one of the province's most talented home-grown players.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 12 mins: McHugh penalty 3-0; 16: McHugh drop goal 6-0; 35: McHugh penalty 9-0; 37: Ofisa try, McHugh conversion 16-0; Half-time 16-0; 50: Sweeney penalty 16-3; 57: Sweeney penalty 16-6; 63: Sweeney penalty 16-9.
CONNACHT: D Riordan; M Mostyn, P Warwick, G Williams, D Yapp; M McHugh, C Keane; R Hogan, A Flavin, B Sturgess, D Gannon, A Farley, J Muldoon, R Ofisa, C Rigney. Replacements: T Tierney for Keane (57 mins).
DRAGONS: K Morgan (capt); R Fussell, N Brew, A Smith, A Brew; C Sweeney, G Cooper; A Black, B Daly, J Corsi, I Gough, P Sidoli, C Charvis, J Ringer, N Fitisemanu. Replacements: M Owen for Ringer (38 mins), Harrison for Corsi (h-t), L Charteris for Sidoli, K Crawford for Daly (both 52), M Hercus for Smith (57).
Referee: Andrew Macpherson (SRU)
