A TOUGH NIGHT FOR PEEL’S MEN
CONNACHT condemned the Scarlets to another defeat in the United Rugby Championship with a convincing win at the Sportsground on Friday night.
Tries from Niall Murray and Mack Hansen put the hosts in control during a highly eventful first half, although Steff Evans did manage to go over for the visitors, who failed to build on a promising win over Zebre last time out.
Jack Aungier added another touchdown for the hosts after the break, before a penalty try and a second touchdown from Hansen late on sealed victory.
Much of the pre-match talk centred on Wales star Leigh Halfpenny, who withdrew from the starting XV due to a concern over his hamstring.
In came Corey Baldwin on the right wing, while Johnny Mcnicholl shifted to full-back.
Neither side have really set pulses racing in the URC so far this season. The Scarlets earned their first win of the campaign against Zebre last time out, while the hosts were looking to address a record of four defeats in their last five games.
The Irish province were handed a near perfect start as Murray blocked a box kick before racing over to score inside the opening minute.
It was the spark to set a breathtaking opening period alight, with Sam Costelow responding with three points from the tee just three minutes later.
Jack Carty restored the five-point lead for the hosts with a well-taken long-range penalty just moments later, but the Welsh side hit back once again in fine style.
A sensational break from Mcnicholl allowed him to slip Evans in and over the whitewash.
Carty missed a penalty as the driving rain continued to hammer down, but soon made amends, adding another three points around the halfhour mark.
But again, the pendulum swung in favour of the visitors, with Costelow booting a penalty to restore parity.
However, a well-worked move ensured Connacht headed into the break in front.
Carty sprayed a ball out wide, with Hansen showing some great feet to get round his man and go over.
The hosts appeared to let the Scarlets back in the game after Paul Boyle was sent to the bin shortly after the interval. But it failed to stop Connacht’s momentum, and they still managed to extend their lead, with Aungier going over after a pick-upand-go five metres out, before substitute Rhys Patchell and Connacht’s David Hawkshaw traded penalties.
Sione Kalamafoni was then shown a yellow card after conceding a series of penalties, and was joined by Dan Thomas, who gave away a penalty try seven minutes from time.
A well-worked kick-and-chase allowed Hansen in for his second, rounding off a decent night’s work for the hosts and another difficult day at the office for Dwayne Peel’s men.