Connacht’s winning run in the GUINNESS PRO12 came to an end at the hands of Glasgow Warriors who are now just one of two unbeaten teams in the league. As well as their fourth successive win, the Scots also secured a try-scoring bonus point having crossed the line on five occasions.
Pat Lam’s side will be disappointed not to come away with anything from the game having run last season’s beaten finalists close at numerous stages throughout the 80 minutes.
Connacht scored two tries through centre David McSharry and full-back Darragh Leader as well as a penalty try awarded in the second half. New scrum half Ian Porter, who was given the kicking duties, landed all three conversions.
Asked what positives his charges can take from tonight’s encounter in Scotstoun, Lam said: “Not many teams will come here, against the best defensive team in the league, and score three tries. And we also know there’s a few more we could have scored. We know that we were right in that game.
“One thing I said to the boys in the changing room is that there is absolutely no doubt about the courage and the heart of the Connacht player. They’ll fight right through to the end for each other.
“We’ll go back and review the game on Sunday and work extremely hard ahead of the visit of Cardiff Blues next Friday.”
The wind-backed Warriors were first to threaten as centre Mark Bennett was held up following an 11th minute break.
Connacht’s scrum coped well with a bout of intense pressure five metres out but full-back Stuart Hogg managed to spot a gap and touch down in the 18th minute, with Duncan Weir supplying the touchline conversion in blustery conditions.
The westerners were level within six minutes thanks to some bright attacking from the backs. Out-half Jack Carty made the initial incision, and a defensive mix-up minutes later allowed McSharry (pictured below) to gobble up a breaking ball and reach over the line. Porter nailed the conversion from wide out.
Porter, the former Ulster player, increased his influence with a smart break and chip over the top, but Glasgow sealed off the danger and Weir booted them back in front with a penalty on the half hour mark.
Connacht won a scrum penalty while on the defensive as they held the Scots at bay late in the half, however a kick from Leader was charged down by Henry Pyrgos and the scrum half was able to score by the posts. Weir’s conversion made it 17-7 for half-time.
Crisp passing from the hosts unlocked the Connacht defence six minutes into the second period for Hogg to run in his second try of the night which went unconverted.
The visitors built some pressure through the forwards when Carty kicked two penalties towards the corner. Aly Muldowney’s lineout take and a powerful maul drive saw Glasgow infringe and Connacht quickly teed up another catch and drive effort.
The Warriors defended well until Carty’s skip pass put the influential Leader (pictured below), who was out on the wing, diving over for his third ever PRO12 try. Porter added the extras for a 22-14 scoreline approaching the hour.
That try stung Glasgow into action though, and Pyrgos’ inviting inside pass released Canadian winger DTH van der Merwe to finish with aplomb from the 22. Glasgow’s lead looked a good deal more comfortable at 29-14 following another Weir conversion.
It was real tit for tat stuff and Connacht launched themselves forward off the back of a scrum penalty, with replacement props Ronan Loughney and Nathan White getting the shove on.
Robbie Henshaw was hauled down out wide as Connacht hunted for their third try, but further pressure in the scrum led to Glasgow popping up and a penalty try was the province’s reward. Porter tapped over to reduce the deficit to eight points (29-21).
A close range penalty from Weir got the Warriors back on track and Connacht were held scoreless for the remainder, despite the best efforts of debutants John Cooney, who came on for Porter at scrum half, and Shane Delahunt, the sub-Academy hooker.
Just as Connacht ramped up their bonus point push, they were intercepted in Glasgow’s 22 and the speedy Bennett broke free to score a a real sucker punch try that Weir converted and the hosts were out of sight.
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