Borders 15 Connacht 29: Connacht made an encouraging start to their Magners Celtic League campaign in Scotland this evening, overcoming the new-look Borders comfortably at Netherdale.

The match developed into a private contest between the rival goalkickers - however touchdowns by Gavin Williams and Paul Warwick proved the big difference.

Both sides showed signs of early-season rustiness with mistakes galore being made in the disjointed opening exchanges.

Reivers broke the deadlock after just two minutes with a penalty by Calum MacRae - and he doubled the tally six minutes later as the Irishmen were guilty of illegal handling in a ruck.

The scrappy action continued with neither side looking capable of creating potent handling moves. And Connacht battled their way back into the contest with two penalties of their own in quick succession by Mark McHugh.

The first came when Williams was tripped - and the second was awarded for off-the-ball obstruction.

Borders had the better of things in the build up to the interval, but all they could earn for their efforts was another kick from MacRae.

Connacht looked the hungrier outfit after the restart and they seized the initiative with a try. Williams took advantage of marking indecision to dart in under the crossbar, giving McHugh a simple task to convert.

Reivers replied in positive style, MacRae slotting penalty number four for offside - only for McHugh to follow suit at the other end.

The penalty ping-pong continued with further traded kicks. But Connacht sealed it was Warwick's drop-goal and try, goaled by McHugh.