Despite a positive performance in a fast-paced, open game of rugby, Connacht came away from Scotstoun Stadium empty-handed this evening following a 35-24 defeat to Glasgow Warriors.
The game was in the balance right to the end but Glasgow’s experienced winger Sean Lamont put the result beyond doubt on 77 minutes when he crossed for his side’s fourth try of the evening.
Pat Lam’s men started strongly and dominated first half possession with an 83% share. However, they only led 15-13 at half-time following tries from Niyi Adeolokun and captain John Muldoon, and the Warriors came roaring back in the second period to claim a bonus point victory and deny Connacht any points.
The 11-point reversal is a knock to Connacht’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions Cup next season. They left a number of scoring chances behind them and failed to take full advantage of Warriors lock Tim Swinson’s red card with a quarter of an hour remaining. They must regroup quickly for next week’s rescheduled game away to bottom side Zebre.
The westerners made the early pressure count at a sold-out Scotstoun when winger Adeolokun crashed over in the right corner after just four minutes – before Glasgow had even touched the ball. Tiernan O’Halloran’s impressive break and well-timed pass teed up Adeolokun’s sixth try of the campaign, from about eight metres out.
However, the home side hit back immediately, with the returning Finn Russell landing a penalty shortly after the restart. Stuart Hogg, the Six Nations Player of the Championship, gave the Warriors field position with a neat chip and chase and several phases later, Kiwi hooker Corey Flynn crashed over for their opening try, 11 minutes in.
Russell added the extras but that was cancelled out by a Craig Ronaldson penalty towards the end of the first quarter for 10-8, with in-form full-back O’Halloran again showing his eye for a break in the build-up.
Connacht retook the lead on the half hour when number 8 Muldoon scored out wide on the left and Ronaldson expertly conversion from the touchline. Stacey Ili supplied the scoring pass, with the platform for the score coming from ground-gaining carries by the likes of Bundee Aki, Quinn Roux and Andrew Browne, who burst through up towards the posts. Sean O’Brien’s clearing out was also vital in providing quick ruck ball.
The final scoring act of a breathless first half was a penalty from Russell who punished the visitors for not rolling away, but Ronaldson snapped back those three points with a 48th minute strike which was preceded by another fine run from O’Halloran.
Monday’s video review will not be pleasant when the Connacht players look at the subsequent restart which they failed to deal with, handing possession to Glasgow whose centre and captain Horne made a half-break and then Russell surged onto Ali Price’s offload to finish crisply from closer in, tagging on the conversion to nudge his side ahead at 20-18.
It got worse for Connacht when Russell’s opposite number Jack Carty was sin-binned for a high tackle and the Scots opened up a match-winning margin soon after. With their strong bench making an impact, Glasgow drove Connacht backwards in a scrum and gave man-of-the-match Price the chance to jink his way over for a try which Russell converted.
Despite being a man down, Connacht rallied and looked to have scored through the diving Adeolokun in the right corner, only to be denied by TMO Jon Mason. The Ireland-capped flyer had a foot in touch due to a cover tackle from Scotland scrum half Price.
However, Glasgow were reduced to 14 men following Swinson’s dismissal for a swinging arm on Dave Heffernan at a ruck in the build-up to Adeolokun’s effort. Ronaldson was successful with the resulting penalty to close the gap to just six points – 27-21.
Disappointingly, Connacht could not capitalise on the numerical advantage, and Glasgow stretched their lead back to nine points courtesy of a penalty from Horne. Although replacement John Cooney replied from the tee within two minutes, Lamont made sure he had the final say, using Peter Horne’s well-timed offload to sprint over in the left corner and take the losing bonus point away from the defending champions.
This website uses cookies.
Read More