Challenge Cup: Cardiff 19 Connacht 28
Connacht secured the necessary win to remain top of their pool and secure the number one seed and home advantage in the next stages of the European Challenge Cup.
It was hard fought but deserving in the end, and with maximum points from their pool, it was a real boost for the province and their ambitions in the competition.
There was much at stake for both sides with Cardiff knowing that a victory would ensure a top-four Pool One finish, seeing them through to the Round of 16 in April. They certainly did their best, but came up just short, and will now rely on the results of other fixtures in the pool to determine their future.
The home side showed their intent from the start, taking possession and asking early questions of Connacht’s defence. And there were more tense moments for the visitors when Cardiff turned over possession inside their own 10-metre line and tore down the field, only to be ultimately halted just yards from the line.
Connacht however started to play to their strengths in attack and with ball in hand, led by Josh Ioane and Bundee Aki. Eventually the opening try came after 13 minutes when Josh Murphy broke away to score, Ioane adding the extras.
But Cardiff reaped a reward soon after when hooker Evan Lloyd broke through the bodies to touch down, helped by great work from prop Rhys Barrett. Ben Thomas converted to level matters after 17 minutes and Connacht knew they were in for another tough night in Arms Park.
Ireland’s Six Nations squad, winners and losers
A dogged defensive effort from Cardiff was again rewarded when they turned over possession with Connacht mere inches from scoring a second try. It was a real psychological boost for the Welsh outfit determined to give themselves the best chance of advancing to the last 16.
Connacht continued to dominate possession but lacked clinical efficiency and composure in the face of a hard-working Cardiff cover which never relented, and in attack they were unlucky not to strike for a runaway try from Tom Bowan, who lost the ball forward.
Instead, at the other end Joe Joyce forced his way over the line after 38 minutes – the pack having made the hard yards after a penalty kicked to touch. Ioane’s conversion put Connacht ahead 14-7 at the break.
But Cardiff made Connacht fight to the end when they hit back early in the second half, profiting from a yellow card for Josh Murphy which gave them added impetus.
Opting to kick a penalty to touch, Thomas Young had the wherewithal to break through and level the score, Thomas adding the conversion.
With Cardiff taking heart from the crowd, they continued to stymie Connacht’s efforts until the province delivered a third try, courtesy of Byron Ralston, and Ioane knocked over the conversion.
Down but not out, Cardiff regained their initiative. In a break out down the left wing, Ellis Bevan supplied Young, who added another try. The missed conversion had Connacht just in front and sensing danger the western province exploited gaps as they gained ground.
Eventually Cian Prendegast delivered the offload to replacement Matthew Devine, giving Connacht a 28-19 lead after JJ Hanrahan’s conversion.
The home side had a last chance, a superb kick to touch and a well-worked driving maul. Thomas came close when breaking away, but Connacht eventually held Cardiff out to navigate their way to top of the pool.
SCORING SEQUENCE – 13 mins: Murphy try, Ioane con 0-7; 17: Lloyd try, Thomas con 7-7; 36: Joyce try, Ioane con 7-14; Half-time 7-14; 43: Young try, Thomas con 14-14; 54: Talston try, Ioane con 14-21; 58: Young try 19-21; 65: Devine try, Hanrahan con 19-28.
CARDIFF: J Beetham; G Hamer-Webb, R Lee-Lo, R Jennings, T Bowen; B Thomas (capt), E Bevan; R Barratt, E Lloyd, K Assiratti; J McNally, T Williams; A Mann, T Young, A Lawrence.
Replacements: S Davies (54 mins), E Daniel, D Southworth, R Litterick, J Mulder (all 61), R Thornton (67), C Winnett (71).
CONNACHT: S Cordero; C Mullins, B Ralson, P O’Conor, B Aki; J Ioane, B Murphy; P Dooley, D Heffernan, F Bealham; J Murphy, J Joyce; C Prengergast (capt), P Boyle, C Oliver.
Replacements: S Jansen, D Hawkshaw (both 58 mins), M Devine (60), D O’Connor, JJ Hanrahan (both 62), J Duggan (64).
Referee: Morne Ferreira (South Africa).
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis
