Connacht let it slip at home

CARDIFF won in Ireland for the first time in 16 months as they came from behind to beat Connacht 22-15 at the Sportsground.

The Welsh region profited from a penalty try and two touchdowns from Lewis Jones and Dan Fish as they earned a fourth straight RaboDirect PRO12 win.

It was a disappointing finish for departing backs Gavin Duffy, Dan Parks, Frank Murphy and Eoin Griffin, who were making their final home appearances for Connacht.

Matt Healy’s converted try, set up by Kieran Marmion, was the difference between the sides at half-time as the hosts led 10-3.

Robbie Henshaw’s 45thminute try widened the margin to 12 points, but two tries in three minutes changed the game.

Gareth Davies added both conversions to edge the Blues in front and Fish was fed for the final try when Connacht second-row Aly Muldowney was in the bin. ConnaChT: D Leader; Poolman, Henshaw, E Griffin, Healy; Nikora, Marmion; Loughney, Harris-Wright, Ah You, Muldowney, Kearney, Muldoon, Gilsenan, McKeon. reps: Duffy for D Leader (60), Parks for Nikora (51), Buckley for Loughney (51), Heffernan for Harris-Wright (53), Bealham for Ah You (60), Swift for Kearney (58), Browne for Gilsenan (58). Sin bin: Muldowney (69). Scorers — Tries: Healy, Henshaw. Cons: Nikora. Pens: Nikora. CardiFF bluES: Fish; Cuthbert, Allen, Hewitt, Robinson; G Davies, L Williams, G Jenkins, Rees, Filise, B Davies, Paulo, Cook, J Navidi, E Jenkins. reps: Humberstone for G Davies (63), Hamilton for E Jenkins (78). Scorers – Tries: Penalty, Jones, Fish. Cons: G Davies 2. Pens: G Davies.

rEFErEE: N Paterson (SRFU).