Carty kicks late penalty to secure unlikely bonus point for Connacht
CONNACHT did well to stage a last-quarter fightback and claim an unlikely bonus point after ceding the majority of territory and possession to an Edinburgh side determined to make a statement in their first home game of the season.
The visitors, however, can be satisfied with their defensive effort and the enterprising play of Jack Carty and the pace put into their game by Caolin Blade.
Edinburgh’s pressure in the opening minutes – a clean break by out-half Jaco van der Welt and a penalty kick to the corner – should have brought early gains, inaccurate finishing proving the home side’s undoing.
Edinburgh came close again when Blair Kinghorn galloped through several attempted tackles before passing to Hamish Watson.
The Scotland flanker was stopped in front of the posts but in the ensuing play Jarrad Butler earned a sin-binning for ‘slapping’ down the ball.
From the resulting penalty Edinburgh ran the ball, ending with winger Duhan van der Merwe racing in for the game’s first try, which was converted by Van der Welt.
Despite being a player short, Connacht were able to set foot in the Edinburgh 22 for the first time, all due to a surging run off the tail of the lineout by Paul Boyle.
But hopes of capitalising on the territorial gain were shredded when Connacht turned over ball.
Then, after a long period of pressure by Edinburgh, Van der Welt kicked a penalty to give his side a 10-0 interval lead.
Twelve minutes into the second half Van der Merwe was presented
But when Edinburgh set up a driving maul from a lineout the long-expected try was scored, prop Pierre Schoeman the scorer, and Van der Welt converted once again.
Edinburgh’s armchair ride quickly ended when Carty threw a long pass to Niyi Adeolokun for the wing to score in the corner. Carty showed further skills by adding the conversion.
After another period of pressure by the visitors, Carty kicked a penalty to claim the bonus point in the final scoring action of the match.