Connacht took a losing bonus point home from Scotstoun Stadium on Sunday, in a game that could have gone either way. Mark Bennett’s first half try eventually proved decisive for Glasgow Warriors.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: GLASGOW WARRIORS 8 CONNACHT 6
Glasgow Warriors ground out an 8-6 win over Pat Lam’s men in tough conditions, with the bottom-placed visitors putting in a combative display.
A Mark Bennett try and Ruaridh Jackson’s only successful penalty proved enough for the Scottish side, while Connacht mustered first half penalties from centre Craig Ronaldson.
The game opened well for Connacht who dominated possession and prevented Glasgow from making any strides in territory in the opening ten minutes.
Ronaldson was on place-kicking duty and despite a missed attempt on three minutes from the halfway line, the 24-year-old was successful from the kicking tee five minutes later when the hosts were penalised for holding on. From just outside the 22, he put the visitors 3-0 up.
Connacht’s defensive efforts were commendable throughout but an error on 20 minutes allowed Glasgow scrum half Henry Pygros to make a break. Bennett was then able to chase and pounce on a chipped through ball for the only try of the game. Jackson missed the conversion against a strong wind.
Ronaldson missed two successive penalty attempts before the half hour mark but, on the stroke of half-time, he slotted over from in front of the posts to give the province a 6-5 lead at the break.
Glasgow came out stronger in the second half and quickly won a penalty at the scrum which Jackson converted to snatch back the lead.
Shortly afterwards, the 25-year-old out-half attempted to extend the margin further with a drop goal but it was wayward.
Connacht’s defence was put to the test again as the Warriors fought hard for try number two. With numerous pick and drives, their forwards threatened to go over but the men in green kept them out.
Jackson missed three successive penalties in the closing stages of the game, his last long range kick hitting the cross bar.
Connacht collected the ball and with the clock at 80 minutes and just two points down, the westerners did everything to try and get out of their half and win some points.
But the Glasgow defensive wall held strong and a Connacht knock-on in their 22 dashed any hopes of a late comeback, the losing bonus point scant consolation after such a closely-fought contest.
Speaking afterwards, Connacht boss Lam said: “The conditions were tricky and it was always going to come down to goal-kicking, but unfortunately we lost chances in the first half.
“We made one defensive error in the first half and that cost us a try and ultimately the game.”
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