European Challenge Cup/ Connacht 75 Centransa 8:Connacht romped home to their first victory of their European Challenge Cup campaign and posted their highest score in the competition at the Galway Sportsground last evening.
First-time visitors Centransa El Salvador had no answer to Connacht, and for a second week in succession this amateur outfit, with just four professionals, suffered a hammering at the hands of full-time professionals.
But Connacht will be delighted to have surpassed their previous highest score of 62, posted against Catania two years ago, and with Newcastle having beaten the Spanish side last week by 71-10, this high-scoring try feast could prove crucial in qualifying from the group.
Connacht ran in 13 tries, seven in the first half, with the bonus point for a fourth try wrapped up by the 27th minute when prop Robbie Morris finished off after Conor O'Loughlin was halted short of the line.
It was not unexpected given that Connacht had opened with their first try on two minutes when the home side opted to kick their first penalty to touch. From Mike McCarthy's catch, the forwards surged forwards from the 22 with O'Loughlin eventually squeezing over.
Centransa did have a brief moment of respite when outhalf Redgart van Eyke potted a sixth minute penalty, but thereafter it was all Connacht.
The second try came from a similar lineout and drive, with Michael Swift touching down on 13 minutes, before left wing Aidan Wynne added his name to the try scorers on 20 minutes. Morris initiated the move when he turned over possession in midfield, but it was Donnelly's perfectly floated chip that deceived the visiting cover and Wynne was on hand to race in from 20 metres.
After Morris' fourth effort, the widely-predicted try-feast was never in doubt. Right wing Ofsia Treviranus started and finished his 34th-minute effort when running out of defence in his 22.
He claimed a second just before the break, while Daniel Riordan added his name to the tally after Ray Ofisa supplied the pass from a sweeping, left-to-right move.
It was all too easy for Connacht as they cut open the Spaniards at will with the tries continuing to flow regularly. Riordan added two in the second half to claim a hat-trick, while Aidan Wynne got in for his second. John Muldoon, Ofisa, and Brett Wilkinson also got on the scoresheet.
Centransa did claim a consolation try from flanker Ivan Criado, one of eight internationals in their pack.
However, more worrying for Connacht as they face Ulster next week in a return to the Magners Celtic League is the poor goal-kicking display. Donnelly missed six conversions, while replacement outhalf Peter Durcan missed two.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 2 min : O'Loughlin try 5-0; 6 : Van Eyk penalty 5-3; 13 : Swift try, Donnelly conversion 12-3; 20 : Wynne try, Donnelly conversion 19-3; 27 : Morris try 24-3; 34 : Treviranus try 29-3; 37 : Riordan try 34-3; 39 : Treviranus try 39-3; Half time; 46 : Riordan try 44-3; 47 : Wilkinson try, Donnelly conversion 51-3; 52 : Criado try 51-8; 64 : Muldoon try 56-8; 66 : Wynne try, Durcan conversion 63-8; 69 : Riordan try Durcan conversion 70-8; 79 : Ofisa try 75-8.
CONNACHT: G Duffy; A Wynne, D Riordan, K Matthews, O Treviranus; T Donnelly, C O'Loughlin; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Morris, M Swift, A Farley (capt), M McCarthy, R Ofisa, J Muldoon. Replacements : D Yapp for Treviranus (h-t), C McPhillips for O'Loughlin, R Loughney for Morris, J Merrigan for Flavin (all 53 mins), A Browne for Farley (54 mins), P Durcan for Donnelly (56 mins).
CENTRANSA: I Gutierrez; T Brouwer, J Revilla, R Turrion, M Stanley; R van Eyk, D Hunter; J Insausti, D Zarzosa, J Zapatero, S Souto, F Galloppa, A Mata, I Criado, C Souto. Replacements : M Serrano for Zarzosa (26 mins) C Caballero for Insausti (65 mins), O Benito for Mata, D Morate for Souto (both 60 mins), F Suarez for Galloppa (70 mins).
Referee: Gwyn Morris (Wales).