Resolute Connacht fight back

Connacht 13Scarlets 11

BY ROB MURPHY

IT IS two from two and a sprightly start for Eric Elwood's young squad. This wasn't as impressive as last week, but that won't be a cause for any major concern right now. Connacht fought their way out of a difficult corner in the second half and showed tremendous resolve late on to see off the Scarlets.

It was Niall O'Connors nerveless strike with eleven minutes remaining that put Connacht in front for the first time, but the game changed on a scintillating try from Mark McCrea 15 minutes before that which completely swung the momentum back towards the home side.

That score highlighted the sharp adjustment that had been made on the field perfectly. Just a few minutes earlier, in the 47th minute to be exact, the Scarlets had pulled clear thanks to an Aaron Shingler try in the corner after a brilliant series of attacks and some quick hands from forwards Iestyn Thomas and Emyr Phillips on the short side.

Connacht were caught and were left to reflect on the fact that such a score had been coming and was no more than the visitors’ efforts had warranted. It seemed to be the jolt that the entire squad had needed. From that point to the finish, the visitors barely threatened the westerners’ line again.

Michael Swift and Rob McCusker were sin binned minutes later much to the frustration of the Connacht supporters and that incident, combined with the fact that the game was slipping away, seemed to ignite the atmosphere and the home side.

The try was sparked by a quick tap penalty from the simply awesome George Naoupu, back to his thundering best in this contest. His charge forward set Connacht on the attack, replacement Ethienne Reynecke took it on before Henry Fa'afili got ball in space.

There is an air of anticipation every time the man gets into such a spot now and it's justified, his footwork can bamboozle the strongest defense and he beat his man before off-loading back inside to Mark McCrea for a brilliantly crafted try. The Ulsterman's line was superb. The try was a welcome relief.

At 11-10 the game hung in the balance for a stage but Connacht were in the grove now, Paul O'Donoghue and Niall O'Connor came off the bench and aided the shift in gears. Up front the Connacht scrum was anchored superbly by Rodney Ah You who is growing in confidence with each game.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.