Connacht hang on to end their losing streak

Connacht 9 Harlequins 8:ECSTATIC AND joyous scenes in the Galway Sportsgound last evening. Connacht finally delivered on their promise to turn their poor run of results around, and they did it in the most appropriate of settings – in front of 5,080 home supporters in their final Heineken Cup pool fixture.

Utilising every ounce of energy, this really was a blood, sweat and tears performance, denying English premiership leaders Harlequins a win that would have ensured a quarter-final place.

Not only had Conor O’Shea’s side travelled with hopes of a win, but a bonus point in the bargain, but they were denied by a defensive effort that was nothing short of Herculean.

This was a huge victory for the cup minnows that few would have predicted, and certainly at half time, even with a 9-5 lead, few could have written the script that would see Connacht claim their first Heineken Cup win in their debut season.

Connacht led at half-time, courtesy of three penalty kicks from outhalf Niall O’Connor, But it was thanks in the main to Connacht’s outstanding defence as the home side returned to their vintage in-your-face best. Harlequins had won the toss and opted to face into the elements in the first half and O’Connor used it to his advantage when posting a fourth minute penalty from the 10-metre line after Quins were penalised at the scrum.

Within minutes, however, Nick Evans, on the loop, sent a skip pass to left wing Sam Smyth who ran in for the opening try, with Evans missing the touchline conversion.

Connacht’s scrum, having taken a beating last week against Toulouse, measured up to the Quins front five in the first half, and winning a penalty on the half-way line, O’Connor struck his effort perfectly to post another three points for the home side.

Two minutes later some bulldozing tackles had Quins on the back foot again, and Connacht forced a penalty from an ensuing ruck when Quins were offside. The Connacht outhalf struck a third kick to edge Connacht in front by 9-5.

Four penalties ensured the visitors grabbed a foothold and had Connacht under pressure five metres from their own line. However, on two occasions Quins failed to capitalise and a knock-on from former All Black Evans summed up the pressure Connacht were putting their opponents under.

Stirling work by Paul ODonoghoe with some neat kicks out of defence, helped the home side re-establish territory, but O’Connor missed a 37th minute effort from the 22 just before the break. With the freshening wind it hardly seemed enough and within five minutes of the restart it was Connacht’s scrum under pressure.

Having conceded a penalty, Connacht found themselves defending their lines again, and it took a massive effort to keep Quins at bay as the visitors opted to spurn kicks at goal.

Finally they opted for the kick and Evans posted a 60th minute effort to come within one point and when Quins got another kicking chance in the 66th minute, it was not looking good for the home side. However, Evans’ kick from 30 yards swirled wide. Thereafter the story was one of staunch Connacht defence.

Afterwards coach Eric Elwood said: “I think everyone got their reward tonight – the players and the crowd, and it was not the prettiest of games, but at th end of the day we have been knocking on the door for the last 13 weeks so I am quite happy to take an ugly win, no problem.

CONNACHT: G Duffy ; F Vainikolo, K Tonetti, H Faafili, T OHalloran; N OConnor, P ODonohoe; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Loughney, M Swift, M McCarthy, J Muldoon, R Ofisa, G Naoupu. Replacements: E Reynecke for Flavin (58m), D Buckley for Wilkinson (60m), D Rogers for Loughney (67m).

HARLEQUINS: M Brown; U Monye, M Hopper, J Turner-Hall, S Smith; N Evans, D Care; J Marler, C Brooker, J Johnston, T Vallejos, G Robson, M Faasavalu, C Robshaw , N Easter. Replacements: L Wallace for Faasavalu (42m),O Kohn for Cinalli (49m)m J Gray for Brooker (63m), M Lambert for Marler (74m).

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales).