Connacht happy with draw

Connacht 16 Cardiff 16:Connacht's clash with Cardiff was a case of missed opportunities for both sides. Although fullback Ben Blair missed two injury-time penalties that could have snatched victory for the Blues, it would have been rough justice on the home outfit who were more consistent applying the pressure and produced one of their strongest displays in the Celtic Magners League.

"It would have been vary harsh if we had not got anything out of this game," said Connacht coach Michael Bradley. "It would have been better to win, but given that Cardiff had two kicks under the posts, a draw is a good enough result."

Yet, a draw was not something Connacht wanted or deserved as they still trail the Dragons by eight points. And Bradley may have to plan for the game against Glasgow next week without the services of Mark McHugh who suffered a groin strain after 18 minutes.

By then Connacht had overcome Cardiff's powerful start, captain Tom Shanklin grabbing the opening try within two minutes.

Connacht settled with Paul Warwick posting a seventh minute penalty and a well-worked 18th minute try from flanker Ray Ofisa, who broke Chris Czekaj's tackle from the third phase to score under the posts.

While Cardiff enjoyed superiority in the scrum resulting in a 35th minute penalty, Connacht's traditional hunger at the breakdown was critical.

Warwick struck two from three efforts to keep the pressure on the Blues and, when Scott Morgan was sinbinned just before the break for obstruction, he potted the three points for a 13-10 half-time lead.

Cardiff's intensity improved in the second half and they were rewarded with an equalising penalty from Blair after good work from Shanklin, but a host of handling errors handed Connacht the initiative and Warwick once again punished the Blues at the breakdown when nosing his side in front with a 54th minute penalty.

With hopes of a winning performance diminished, Cardiff were forced to settle for a 65th minute equaliser from a Blair penalty.

Scoring sequence - 2mins: Shanklin try, Blair conversion, 0-7; 7 mins: Warwick penalty, 3-7; 18 mins: Ofisa try, Warwick conversion, 10-7; 35 mins: Blair penalty, 10-10; 38 mins: Warwick penalty, 13-10; Half-time: 13-10; 44 mins: Blair penalty, 13-13; 54 mins: Warwick penalty, 16-13; 65 mins: Blair penalty, 16-16.

CONNACHT: G Duffy; D Yapp, J Hearty, M McHugh, C McPhillips; P Warwick, C Keane; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, S Knoop, M Swift, A Farley, J Muldoon, R Ofisa, C Rigney. Replacements: D Slemen for McHugh (18 mins), J Fogarty for Flavin (55 mins), R Hogan for Knoop (56 mins), Browne for Swift, (67 mins).

CARDIFF: B Blair; T James, T Shanklin, M Stcherbina, C Czekaj; N Robinson, M Phillips; G Jenkins, G Williams, T Filise, B Davies, R Sidoli, S Morgan, R Sowden-Taylor, M Lewis. Replacements: A Powell for Morgan, T Riley for James, T Rhys-Thomas for Williams (all 66 mins).

Referee: P Allan (Scotland).