Late drama in Brive leaves Connacht’s hopes hanging by a thread

Brive 21 Connacht 18

Connacht’s European hopes hang in the balance after a dramatic defeat by Brive in injury time last evening.

Captan John Muldoon looked to have secured the victory with a try in the 78th minute, but replacement outhalf Jack Carty missed the resulting conversion, levelling the score 18-18 just one minute from time.

However from the resulting restart, a Connacht knock-on provided the home side with the perfect platform to win a penalty from their dominant scrum. And after three resets the penalty duly arrived, and centre Thomas Laranjeira, who had missed only one kick all night, struck his seventh through the uprights to take the victory.

It now leaves Connacht trailing Brive in pool one by a single point heading into the last round. Brive now travel to Newcastle, who ,having lost to Enisei in Socchi, have nothing to play for but pride, while Connacht host the Russians in the Sportsground.

It had looked like the perfect finish to what had started so well. Danie Poolman in securing possession from Aj MacGinty’s kick off, set up territory inside the Brive 22 and Rory Parata finished off with the opening try after just 45 seconds. MacGinty was unable to convert the conversion from the left touchline and the home side was not long in replying when centre Thomas Laranjeira potted his first penalty after Brive started making inroads through their pack, catching Connacht offside.

Pat Lam’s men had the opportunity to post their opening penalty courtesy of a solid scrum, but MacGinty’s effort from 30 metres shaved the right post, while at the other end Laranjeira had no difficulting converting from the first of several penalties conceded at the scrum.

The home side, playing with power and pace, continued to put Connacht under pressure, halting their momentum and forcing errors, and when John Muldoon was pinged for offside at the ruck, the Brive centre kicked over his third penalty to take a 9-5 lead after 27 minutes.

With the momentum firmly with the home side, Connacht found it difficult to keep possession and establish territorial control. They did well to withstand two rolling maul attempts from five metres out with No 8 Sisaro Koyamaibole losing possession on the line, and were let off the hook when Laranjeira missed a fourth penalty attempt on the stroke of half time.

Connacht, however, upped their efforts in the second and immediately reduced the arrears within three minutes of of the restart through MacGinty’s boot after Brive conceded a the breakdown. Although Brive replied minutes later - the dominant scrum providing yet another penalty which Laranjeira struck perfectly - Connacht started to find some rhythm with ball in hand. Ultan Dillane was adjudged to have lost possession on the line, but within minutes they were duly rewarded when John Muldoon crossed in the 53rd minute after a patient build-up, MacGinty’s attempted conversion hitting the upright.

While Poolman produced a try-saving tackle to force Benito Maasilevu in touch while diving over the line, Brive continued to live off penalties and Laranjeira answered the call, adding six more points for an 18-13 lead.

Connacht had the opportunity to reduce the deficit to two points with a 74th minute penalty, and while Carty’s effort had the legs from 35m out, it was inches wide. However when Muldoon struck for his second try, it looked likely Connacht would be odds on favourites to qualify from the group - before Laranjeira struck at the death.