Fired-up Connacht buck the trend with sensational victory

Bayonne 21Connacht 35

A RUN of nine games without a win ended in spectacular fashion on Saturday night as Connacht toppled Bayonne in the South of France, winning comfortably in the end.

The result will be a massive boost to morale after a run of heartbreaking defeats in recent months and might prove to be a catalyst for a strong finish to the Magners League season.

Connacht’s European hopes ended in December with back to back defeat to Harlequins but Saturday was about making a statement and they did so in some style starting well and withstanding a strong home fightback before pulling clear in the final ten minutes with two blistering tries.

Coach Eric Elwood picked his strongest available line up for the contest but made some subtle alterations perhaps with a view towards the run of games in February. Ian Keatley started at ten for the first time since the defeat to Treviso back in late October and produced a strong performance throughout.

Shane Monahan and Eoin Griffin made their first European starts while 20 year old Shane Conneely came off the bench just before half time in place of the injured Johnny O’Connor and performed brilliantly in a tenacious and no holes barred second half.

Connacht dominated the opening quarter and built up a 13-3 lead thanks to a penalty try and eight points from the boot of Ian Keatley. The penalty try came from a break out wide where Brian Tuohy’s chip kick into the 22 looked to be in the path of Fionn Carr.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.