Connacht 16 London Irish 24: A refreshing breeze swept through the Sportsground yesterday evening. A vibrant pre- season friendly captivated a moderate crowd who witnessed an encounter that featured a surprisingly sharp competitive edge.
Though the home side brimmed with intent early on, London Irish gradually seized the initiative. While Connacht grafted vigorously, the Londoners' craft became decisive.
Connacht played with substance and style in a thoughtful opening period. With Eric Elwood's velvet touches illuminating the refurbished Galway venue Connacht scorched into a commanding lead.
The veteran outhalf clipped a hat-trick of penalties before London Irish summoned a response. Connacht centre James Downey fluffed a pass; 21 minutes had elapsed when the Exiles' electric winger Scott Staniforth intercepted and sauntered in for a try. Diminutive outhalf Mark Mapletoft clipped over the conversion.
Within minutes a determined Downey atoned for the earlier error. Elwood's incisive pass afforded Downey the time to evade a cluster of bodies. Elwood added the extras, but despite dominating vast periods of the half Connacht departed at the interval a mere six points in front.
London Irish debutant Mike Catt was a prominent contributor. With former Leinster lock Bob Casey imperiously gathering lineout ball, the extravagant Catt was afforded sufficient possession to demonstrate his prowess.
The visitors started the second half with some élan as replacement Kevin Barrett stunned the travelling supporters with another intercept try.
Staniforth's elusive running was a salient feature of London Irish's game plan. The waspish winger embellished a dynamic display with another try in stoppage time. Replacement Peter Poulous landed his second conversion.
It was an unfortunate conclusion for the sprightly westerners. While his charges were ultimately outwitted, Connacht will have taken much solace from a vastly improved display.
CONNACHT: D Slemen; N O'Brien, M Mostyn, J Downey, J Meagher; E Elwood, T Tierney; A Clarke, J Fogarty, P Bracken, C Short, A Farley, J Muldoon, P Neville, M Carroll. Replacements: C McPhillips for Mostyn (41 mins), J O'Sullivan for Farley (41 mins), T Robinson for Elwood (54 mins), C O'Loughlin for T. Tierney (58 mins), H Bourke for Fogarty (58 mins), M Walls for O'Loughlin (74 mins), T Buckley for Clarke (74 mins), C Finnerty for Neville (74 mins).
LONDON IRISH: D Armitage; T Ojo, N Mordt, M Catt, S Staniforth; M Mapletoft, D Edwards; N Hatley, R Russell, P Durrant, R Strudwick, B Casey, P Gustard, M Haslett, K Roche. Replacements: P Poulos for Mapletoft (41 mins), T Roques for Catt (60 mins), K Barrett for Edwards (60 mins)
Referee: O Trevor
