BIRTHDAY WIN FOR BUNDEE A PERFECT GIFT

Pau 30 Connacht 40

BIRTHDAY BOY Bundee Aki hailed Connacht’s fighting spirit as they came from behind to advance to a Challenge Cup quarter-final showdown against Benetton in Treviso next Sunday.

They looked set to bow out when Pau opened up a 30-19 lead after 51 minutes but Aki said they did not panic and worked their way back into the contest.

“The coaches emphasised it that we have been in this situation many times before,” said the Ireland centre. “It is just how quick we react when we have the ball we play well.

“So it is just taking courage to back each other up no matter what happens and get the result. That’s what happened here.”

Aki crowned his 34th birthday with a huge performance while his Irish colleague Finlay Bealham also made a big contribution on his return.

Connacht will now fancy their chances against a Benetton side who pipped them last weekend with a late try.

The visitors made the breakthrough after five minutes when hooker Dave Heffernan squeezed through a gap to score but they failed to deal with the restart and home No.8 Sacha Zegueur got in for a try.

Jack Carty sent flanker Cian

Prendergast away down the right to score with a superb pass before Zegueur grabbed his second try for a 20-12 lead at the break.

Five minutes after the restart Shayne Bolton hacked from inside his own half and won the race to score.

But Connacht again to failed to defend after scoring and Pau responded with prop Ziggy Fisi’ihoi getting through to score.

Back came the visitors and Heffernan did superbly to set up Caolan Blade for a try.

Then Aki squeezed through to score under the posts (above) and in the dying moments Dave Hawkshaw and JJ

Hanrahan combined to set away Prendergast who had the gas to go outside the cover and score in the right corner.