Two-try hero Fetu’u Vainikolo and Miah Nikora, who booted 17 points, were to the fore as Connacht secured only their second victory on Welsh soil since 2004 by overcoming the Dragons at Rodney Parade.
Out-half Lewis Robling kicked the Newport Gwent outfit ahead in the fourth minute, but Tongan winger Fetu’u Vainikolo, the only change to the Connacht side that lost to Munster last time out, moved the visitors in front just six minutes later.
Vainikolo was on the end of a looping pass from Kyle Tonetti to race in from the 22 metres out and score his second try of the season for the province.
That move following some scintillating play from the Connacht forwards, especially the strong-running Brett Wilkinson, with the pack linking effortlessly with the back-line and when Miah Nikora added the conversion, the lead stood at 7-3.
Credit to Eric Elwood’s men, they never surrendered that advantage and though Robling added another two penalties in the first half Nikora fired over three of his own in a 10-minute spell to make it 19-9 for half-time.
Vainikolo stunned the home support by completing his brace barely a minute into the second period.
He carved open the Dragons defence from the kick-off, powering away from three tacklers to stretch over in the corner and despite Nikora’s conversion attempt dropping short, Connacht were in a commanding position.
The game started to open up and Italian referee Giuseppe Vivarini attempted to keep control of proceedings, adding two Connacht yellow cards (Ronan Loughney and Eoghan Grace) to Dan Lydiate’s in the first half.
The error count was high for both sides but Connacht’s defence was outstanding, a 50th minute penalty by Robling was all the Dragons had to show for the majority of possession and territory.
Toby Faletau, another of the region’s returning Grand Slam players, crashed over for the Welshmen’s only try of the night towards the end of the third quarter.
Steffan Jones added the conversion but a 57th minute penalty from the excellent Nikora left the gap at nine points and Connacht held out to deny the Dragons a losing bonus point.
It was a memorable night for Connacht at Rodney Parade and a well-deserved victory – only their second league success since September – for a side that played an open and positive game backed up by an outstanding display in defence, particularly in the second period when the penalty count swung against them.
They could have been further ahead at the break but failed to convert a couple of notable try-scoring chances, with the dangerous Tiernan O’Halloran ruled to be in touch before he passed for Tonetti five metres out from the line.
There was also a frustrating knock on in sight of the Dragons’ whitewash soon after, but with John Muldoon, Mike McCarthy and Ray Ofisa leading by example in terms of the tackle count, Connacht determinedly hung on to claim a precious away win.
Next up for Elwood’s charges is a home match against Heineken Cup quarter-finalists Ulster in two weeks’ time. Tickets for that interprovincial derby are on sale now along with Season Tickets for 2012/13.
Speaking after Friday’s game in Newport, Elwood said: “A lot was said of how we played last week against Munster. It was great rugby, the best team, full house, derby match, live on TV.
“But ultimately we lost the game and the lads were hurting afterwards and the key for us was to bounce back and the way we bounced back I thought was terrific.
“The way we played the game in the first 60 minutes was fantastic which included two brilliant scores by Fetu’u. It was great to see him on the scoring sheet again.
“It was great for his confidence but also for the team. When your wingers are scoring tries like that it is fantastic. The lads definitely deserved to win the game and I am delighted for them.
“Again it was another huge effort and to win away from home against a quality outfit who have won their last four or five, we are absolutely chuffed.”
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