Bonus time for Carty and Co.
Southern Kings
19
Connacht
29
JACK CARTY’S super second half performance lifted Connacht to a brave bonus point victory over Kings in South Africa.
As the hosts attempted a comeback, Carty crossed early in the second half, while a superb scrummaging effort earned Connacht the vital penalty try, which gave them the maximum bonus points haul.
“Yeah that was job done. I’m really proud of the boys there,” said Friend.
“I thought we started the game really well. We got the red card and a yellow card in the heat and all of a sudden the pressure is on us.
“But I thought we dug in really hard and the last 40 minutes of the game, we controlled it and our game management was outstanding. A hard fought and well deserved win.”
Connacht got off to a flyer when Fianga’a picked it off a pass and ran in opposed after 55 seconds, while they doubled their lead from their next attack when O’halloran went over.
After the restart Carty went over, but Kings weren’t finished and by the hour mark they had pulled it back to 22-19.
But after camping out in the Kings’ 22 late on, the Connacht scrum earned five consecutive penalties, which eventually saw them earn the penalty try.