Connacht served notice yet again that they will be a force this season when they lowered the colours of Welsh glamour club Cardiff in the Celtic League tie at the Sportsground.
Connacht served notice yet again that they will be a force this season when they lowered the colours of Welsh glamour club Cardiff in the Celtic League tie at the Sportsground.
And just as they had done against Borders the previous week, they left it late to snatch the spoils. Having led 16-0 at half-time, they then went 22-16 down within ten minutes of the restart as Cardiff looked certain to exact sweet revenge for last season’s defeat.
However, there is a steely determination about this Steph Nel coached side and they kept their line intact from then on before conjuring up a late try from Marnus Uijs converted by that marvellous servant of Connacht rugby, Eric Elwood, to earn the points.
Cardiff coach David Young remained upbeat despite the disappointment of the narrow defeat, his side’s second in the series.
“The margin between success and defeat could not have been closer,” he said, “and our side did well to come back from a 16-points deficit at half-time. But all credit to Connacht. We are not writing off our chances of quarter-final qualification. There are five pool matches still to play and these are early days. After all, four teams from the pool will go through to the next round.”
In Musgrave Park, Munster as expected were comfortable winners, 48-23, over Mike Ruddock’s Ebbw Vale side.
In Ravenhill, Ulster went down, 19-18, to a late Brendan Laney penalty and in Glasgow, title holders Leinster were beaten 25-21.
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