Challenge Cup Pool Five Worcester Warriors 30 Connacht 20The battle between the top two teams in Pool Five intensifies this week. Having exceeded the expectations of many by holding English Premiership outfit Worcester to 10 points at Sixways on Saturday, Connacht now have the chance to maximise support in their bid for a home quarter-final.
Worcester may have drawn first blood when an injury-time try robbed Connacht of a deserved bonus point, but Michael Bradley is hoping his side's increasing confidence, coupled with a huge support, will manifest itself into the necessary victory next Saturday at the Sportsground.
"We are playing with confidence, but still making little mistakes and getting punished for it - understandably so. But we are getting better," says Bradley.
"Our aim is to qualify in first place to secure a home draw and this next match is the game we need to secure support. The pressure the crowd put on Worcester to win was immense, and, if we can get that, it will do the world of good."
Worcester might have expected to win more easily, particularly after Nicolas Le Roux opened their account in the 13th minute.
Connacht opened their try account on 21 minutes when Keane made a break from the 22 and found Keith Matthews in support, and he got the touchdown. Slemen kicked the conversion.
Worcester regained the lead when Shane Drahm raced in under the posts after 34 minutes.
After Drahm and Slemen exchanged second-half penalties, Connacht produced their best score of the day from second-phase when Keane switched play in midfield, finding Matt Mostyn from deep. The fullback's burst caught Worcester standing as he raced in from the 10-metre line for Connacht's second try, which gave the visitors a 17-20 lead.
Thereafter Worcester took nothing for granted, opting to kick two penalties to get their noses in front by three. But in the final 10 minutes Connacht were unable to convert their chances. Worcester did with Hickey's injury-time try.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 12 mins: Le Roux try, Drahm con, 7-0; 17: Slemen pen, 7-3; 21: Matthews try, Slemen con, 7-10; 34: Drahm try and con, 14-10. Half-time: 14-10. 43: Drahm pen, 17-10; 49: Slemen pen, 17-13; 59: Mostyn try, Slemen con, 17-20; 62: Drahm pen 20-20; 69: Drahm pen, 23-20; 81 Hickey try, Drahm con, 30-20.
WORCESTER: N Le Roux; U Oduoza, T Lombard, S Whatling, T Delport; S Drahm, M Powell; T Windo, C Fortey, C Horsman; P Murphy, C Gillies; K Horstmann, P Sanderson, D Hickey. Replacements: E O'Donoghue for Murphy (56 mins), L Fortey for Horsman (58 mins), J Tuamoleloa for Horstmann (70 mins). Sinbinned: P Sanderson (16-26 mins).
CONNACHT: M Mostyn; T Robinson, J Hearty, K Matthews, C McPhillips; D Slemen, C Keane; R Hogan, J Fogarty, S Knoop; C Short, A Farley; J Muldoon, M Lacey, C Rigney. Replacements: M Swift for Rigney (65 mins), A Gallagher for Short (78 mins). Sinbinned: C Short (67-77 mins).
Referee: Jean-Pierre Matheu (France).
