Defeats for Connacht and Corinthians
There was another twist in the remarkable tale of Connacht’s ever-improving season came on Sunday afternoon in Llanelli as the Westerners fought back from a hopeless situation to come within one poor refereeing call of winning the game.
The twists and turns in the final quarter of the 32-30 defeat were stunning as Connacht first scored three tries to pull within two points, then conceded a try with only 60 seconds left to seemingly be left with nothing before rising once more to score a spectacular late try and secure bonus points both for scoring four tries, and staying within seven points of the winners.
The two points garnered in the dramatic finale mean that Connacht have taken 21 points from a possible 25 in their last five games. A run the likes of which the province has never seen.
The four tries scored bring Connacht’s tally to 32 for the season so far, that matches their return in the entire campaign last season and there are still four games remaining.
Meanwhile in Division 1b of the AIL, Corinthians slipped out of the promotion play-off spot after a 21-12 defeat to champions Terenure College in Dublin on Saturday, as a bonus point win by Connacht rivals Buccaneers saw the Midlands club jump up to second place in the table with two games remaining.
It would be harsh on Corinthians if they miss out on second place and that play-off spot, having occupied the position for so long this season, but they are certainly not without hope.
They only trail Buccs by a point, and the Dubarry Park side must travel to Terenure for their final game of the campaign, where the home side are likely to be looking to complete a 100% season – the Dublin side have won all 16 games to date, and face already relegated Dungannon in their penultimate game before hosting Buccs.