Borders 9 Connacht 11: Connacht dented Borders Reivers' quest to claim a top-five Celtic League finish as they snatched their second triumph on the trot at Netherdale.

Neither side could settle into a rhythm in the inhospitable conditions which made fast-flowing rugby a virtual impossibility - but it was the province who carved out the all-important only try of a dour contest.

The bulk of the action was confined to the area between the 22-metre lines as mistakes were made at every turn. The western province broke the deadlock in the ninth minute with a solidly struck penalty by stand-off David Slemen after the Reivers had crept offside in defence.

Borders gradually took a measure of control - but still without looking likely to make decisive inroads. But they did edge ahead with two pinpoint kicks in quick succession.

Calum MacRae slotted a penalty for offside and then veteran playmaker Gregor Townsend stroked over a drop-goal when he was short of options 25 metres from the target.

Connacht hit back to set up a breakaway touchdown before the half ended in controversy. Flanker John Muldoon was the scorer, following a quick recycle in the wake of a great challenge by Nikki Walker on Mark McHugh.

Then a Reivers assistant coach was given a stern warning by Welsh referee James Jones as he protested at a yellow card shown to Semo Sititi.

There was still time for Slemen to trade penalties with rookie James King, who had come on as a blood substitute for MacRae.

Borders were forced to reshuffle their line-up after the restart when winger Simon Danielli crashed into an advertising board. Scott Gray came off the bench to join the pack, with Kelly Brown moving out to the wide position.