The Scarlets’ three-match unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end at the Sportsground on Friday as bottom side Connacht battled their way to a deserved Magners League win.
Out-half Ian Keatley kicked 11 points, including the conversion of Mike McComish’s first half try, to drive Connacht to their first win in four league fixtures.
The Scarlets were off the boil and disappointed during a first half which saw Connacht move 13-0 ahead. In the corresponding match last season, Michael Bradley’s men coughed up a 14-3 advantage and lost out to a late Stephen Jones try.
Scarlets winger Lee Williams did break through for a consolation try which replacement Daniel Newton coolly converted for a losing bonus point – however there was no denying Connacht this time around.
Rhys Priestland, the Scarlets’ goalkicking hero against the Dragons last week, missed his first shot at the posts as the Welshmen failed to capitalise on a decent spell of possession.
His opposite number Keatley split the posts with a well-struck penalty and succeeded with the second of his next two attempts, a meaty 40-metre effort after the visitors were punished for an off the ball incident.
The Scarlets pack, minus late withdrawal Deacon Manu, played second fiddle to the hosts in the opening quarter, with the Connacht back row of John Muldoon, Johnny O’Connor and Mike McComish swarming over the breakdown area.
Connacht were on the back foot when centre Keith Matthews was sin-binned for a late tackle on Daniel Evans but with disciplined defence, they kept the Scarlets out of their 22 and began to force the issue up front.
When Scarlets lock Vernon Cooper was dispatched to the sin-bin, Connacht seized their chance off a powerful scrum, with Ireland call-ups Sean Cronin and Brett Wilkinson to the fore.
Scrum half Frank Murphy broke on the blindside and the impressive O’Connor popped an inside pass to set up athletic number 8 McComish for a run to the line.
Keatley’s successful conversion made it 13-0 at the break but the Scarlets rallied in the third quarter and with Connacht prop Wilkinson the third player to see yellow – this time for a scrum offence – Priestland hammered over the resulting kick.
Winger Morgan Stoddart, back after a seven-month injury enforced absence, exerted little influence on proceedings, with the Scarlets backs manufacturing only a couple of notable line breaks.
Into the final quarter, the 14 men of Connacht upped the intensity and an earth-shuddering tackle from Matthews got the hosts back in the groove.
Soon after, Keatley thumped a long range penalty over to steady the ship at 16-3 and despite Williams’ late score in the corner, Connacht stood firm for a much-needed victory.
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