Connacht edge it as Warriors fail to cash in easy opportunities
CONNACHT 28 GLASGOW 24
Sloppy Glasgow blew their bid to get off to a flyer in the new PRO14 campaign.
The Warriors were streets ahead for the bulk of the encounter in terms of possession and territory – but they were punished for their lack of finishing power when it mattered most.
And Glasgow No. 2 Kenny Murray admitted his troops could only blame themselves for their Galway gloom.
The assistant coach declared: “It was all very frustrating.
“Our discipline let us down and we were not clinical enough at important times.
“We didn’t do the basics when it mattered and that put us under pressure.
“It is going to be a very challenging season for us in lots of ways and we have another difficult match next weekend at home to the Scarlets.
“They will come up here with some confidence. However, we will trust our players to deal with it.”
Despite the forecast of wild conditions, the contest began on a dry surface with the dazzle of the dipping sun.
And it was the hosts who made the brightest start as Jack Carty confidently clipped over a penalty, awarded for a scrum offence.
Warriors had a scare in the sixth minute when co-captain Fraser Brown sustained an arm injury.
However, the hooker was able to continue after being strapped up
Glasgow continued to give away pressure penalties and Carty set up the first try chance with a fine touch finder in the wake of a high challenge by Adam Hastings.
The raid was repelled – then there was a let-off as Carty sent his next strike wide of the near post.
It took Warriors more than 15 minutes to get out of their half – only to make a hash of a clear cut scoring opportunity.
Huw Jones looked certain to skid over in the corner, but he tried to find Robbie Nairn with an inside feed, only for the youngster to spill the ball.
Connacht lock Quinn Roux was yellow carded midway through the half for persistent offending, .but yet again Glasgow failed to cash in when Hastings missed an easy pot at goal.
Warriors were totally dominant during the build-up to the break – and they eventually broke their duck in stoppage time, thanks to Nick Grigg.
The centre, who scuttled in from a short pass by Hastings, added the extras to provide a further confidence boost.
Connacht were stung into attacking mode at the restart, but a slick breakout paved the way for Hastings to widen the gap with a 40-metre penalty.
The response of the hosts was quick and lethal as Ireland hero Bundee Aki crashed through from close range.
Carty’s boot levelled the contest.
They kept up the momentum with Roux nabbing their second try on the hour-mark – handing Carty another simple strike.
And the frantic action hotted up when Jones used his pace and strength to go over unopposed at the other end.
Hastings’ lob squared the issue, only to watch Carty land a penalty.
Then Aki completed his double at the end of a sizzling handling move from deep inside his own half.
Veteran winger Tommy Seymour set up a tensionpacked finale with a clinical finish – goaled by Hastings.
Back came Carty with another pinpoint penalty, leaving Glasgow needing to produce something special.
But Connacht held out for a precious bonus point success – their first win against the Scots in the last eight attempts.