Glasgow ... 29 Connacht ... 7The value of home advantage was a highly prized incentive for both these teams in the final Celtic League Pool B match, and Glasgow proved the point at Hughenden last night.
The 3,200 supporters were as incessant in their passion as the rain that fell through the evening, and Glasgow made it count, maintaining their unbeaten run at the venue, and consigning Connacht to an away quarter-final. That Glasgow must wait until tomorrow's Pontrypridd clash with Cardiff to discover their fate will be a disappointment as weather conditions did not help their search for a bonus and insurance point.
The Scottish side's victory was provided with a robust performance from their pack, backed up by a well-organised defence and some pressure kicking that in the miserable conditions always had Connacht on the back foot.
Glasgow secured victory in the second minute of the second half when outhalf Calvin Howarth sneeked through on the blindside, converting his try to stretch the lead to 21-7.
Ironically the outhalf was an unlikely hero, after missing three penalites and a conversion in the opening half dominated by Glasgow. Connacht's poor opening could have proved more costly. The concession of 10 penalties inside 25 minutes, and the sinbinning of Eric Elwood for killing the ball in a ruck, should have seen the Glasgow side well ahead.
Having weathered that early storm, Connacht made possession count in their first foray into their opponent's 22 when prop Dan McFarland claimed the touchdown after a rumbling drive from a five-metre lineout. Mark McHugh added the conversion to put Connacht into an unlikely 7-6 lead.
However, Glasgow were not long in responding. Andrew Henderson's delicately floated kick ahead was perfectly placed for the chasing full back Stuart Moffat who was able to head off the covering Connacht cover to touch down just four minutes later. When Howarth missed the conversion and Jon Petrie was sin-binned on 31 minutes, Connacht had the chance to go ahead.
However, Elwood, back on the field, missed a simple penalty and another after Glasgow were penalised for a high tackle on the imposing Darren Yapp. Instead the erratic Howarth finished the half with a 22-metre effort to stretch Glasgow's lead to 14-7 at half-time, before spearheading the home victory early in the second half.
Although Connacht dominated for long periods, they could not find a way through the gritty home defence and the rain, instead conceding a third try in the last minute to flanker Donie Macfadyen.
CONNACHT: G Duffy; J Norton, D Yapp, M McHugh, W Munn; E Elwood, C Keane; D McFarland, J Flannery, P Bracken, R Frost, W Waugh, C Rigney, J O'Connor, J O'Sullivan. Replacements: D Browne for Waugh, T Robinson for Norton (h/t), E Peters for O'Sulllivan (48m), M Walls for Keane, R McCormack for McFarland, M Uijs for Flannery (all 66m).
GLASGOW: S Moffat; M Bartlett, A Bulloch, A Henderson, G Metcalfe; C Howarth, G Beveridge; C Blades, G Bulloch, L Harrison, A Hall, J White (cpt), G Simpson, D Macfadyen, J Petrie. Replacements: A Nicol for Beveridge, D Hilton for Blades (53m), N Ross for Hall (70m).
Yellow cards: Connacht, Eric Elwood 22m; Glasgow, John Petrie (31m).
Referee: H Watkins (Wales)
