Connacht's hopes dealt severe blow in Sicily

European Challenge Cup Catania 28 Connacht 24Unexpected, but a reality. Connacht's European dreams were left hanging by a thread when they failed to guarantee a fourth successive quarter-final in the European Challenge Cup last evening.

Amatori Catania put up a battle royal at Stadio Santa Maria Goretti to secure an unexpected victory, and, despite racking up a bonus point for four tries by the 70th minute, and a loser's bonus point, Connacht did not get the victory they needed.

Only a miracle will save them now. With 20 points, they are level pegging with Pool Three runners-up Bayonne, who have yet to play leaders Gloucester tomorrow, but the French outfit already enjoy a superior try count. As a result, the two deciding matches will be played tomorrow.

If French outfit Brive lose to Newcastle in France, or in the unlikely scenario that Bristol lose at home to Narbonne, then Connacht could still qualify.

Last night, Worcester ensured top spot in the group by beating Montpellier 31-20.

Connacht may have got a great start, scoring two tries within the opening 12 minutes, but they would go in at the break a point behind after Catania took control through their pack.

The Irish province could not have wished for a better opening when Ted Robinson scored in the right corner from a sweeping counterattack. Soon after, Colm Rigney finished off from a drive and David Slemen converted.

It was all too easy until the home side's big forwards, led by flanker Alejandro Krancz and number eight Mariano Lorenzetti, got on top as Connacht lost their composure.

In the second half, flanker Matt Lacey did get in on 63 minutes with Paul Warwick adding the conversion to bring them within a point. Robinson and John Hearty both came close before another penalty to touch yielded Lacey's second try on 70 minutes.

Warwick's kick, which would have put Connacht a point in front, hit the upright, and thereafter the home side held firm, adding an 84th-minute penalty to nail the win.

CONNACHT: M Mostyn; T Robinson, J Hearty, K Matthews, C McPhillips; D Slemen, C Keane; D McFarland, J Fogarty, A Clarke, C Short, A Farley, J Muldoon, M Lacey, C Rigney. Replacements: P Warwick for Slemen (56 mins), M Swfit for Short (67 mins), M McHugh for Mostyn (77 mins). Yellow cards: C McPhillips (40 +1).

CATANIA: J Cosa; MCommuzzi, A Romagnoli, M Estomba, B de Jager (capt); B Irving, E Viassiolo; SLevaggi, D Vidal, F Condorelli, M Privitera, JP Lagarrigue, A Krancz, M Vinti, M Lorenzetti. Replacements: S Tukino for Lorenzetti (50 mins).

Referee: R Maybank (England).Pool Five

P W D L F A TB LB Pts

Worcester 6 5 0 1 181 103 3 1 ... 24

Connacht 6 4 0 2 190 122 3 1 ... 20

Catania 6 2 0 4 116 257 1 1 ... 10

Montpellier 6 1 0 5 173 178 2 2 ... 8