Losing bonus point a meagre reward for Connacht's courageous effort

Gloucester 23 Connacht 19:CONNACHT ARE learning the hard way the fine line between winning and losing, but coach Eric Elwood says it will make better players of this team.

Having deservedly led Gloucester throughout most of this return fixture at Kingsholm, Connacht were denied a first Heineken Cup victory when replacement Jonny May escaped a tackle and swept over the line with just four minutes remaining to give the English Premiership side the lead and secure the two back-to-back wins.

It was the most bitter pill for Connacht to swallow, particularly having upped their game from last weekend’s Sportsground effort in which they also claimed a losing bonus point. This week, however, the disappointment was far greater, and Elwood confessed there were few words spoken in the team room afterwards.

“I did not have to say anything, the players said it themselves,” he said. “They are gutted. You have grown men crying and it’s a tough sight. Unfortunately the better team lost, but I thought our performance was magnificent.

“Our guys are learning every week to play in Europe, and hopefully these performances will stand to us. We have two derby matches against Munster and Leinster, and that is the next challenge. We are losing ball games, but it has not broken our spirit.”

Connacht had travelled to Gloucester intent on regaining the form they displayed against Harlequins, and more specifically to improve their set piece which had let them down at the Sportsground the previous week. There were a few early wobbles – the first scrum came under pressure and yielded a penalty which led to Gloucester’s first try – but thereafter it stood firm, giving the Cherry and Reds no change.

Connacht repelled the Gloucester forwards, stymied their driving maul, while a secure Connacht lineout provided the platform which their young backs relished.

Outhalf Niall O’Connor directed the game with a new authority, and provided the early touch kicks to the corner that kept the home side under pressure. Connacht showed, with the ball in hand, how they could dominate proceedings, but they could not get over the winning line despite leading with four minutes remaining.

“To bounce back like we did this week, how we played the game, some of our execution and tackles – magnificent,” said Elwood. “Just small margins cost you in big games and that’s what happened tonight. It’s heartbreaking.”

Gloucester coach Bryan Redpath said: “They did everything right, especially for 60 minutes. It’s tough for Eric – it’s tough on his budget to compete with the other provinces – but he should be proud of his side. They will be bitterly disappointed because they had an opportunity.”

Connacht enjoyed territorial advantage from the start and for the first time in several games they pushed into a 13-10 interval lead.

Gloucester outhalf Tim Taylor opened with a penalty in front of the posts, but Connacht’s reply was a try for Tiernan O’Halloran. Frank Murphy’s intercept from Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu began the move which saw Gavin Duffy, Murphy again, and George Naoupu handle up the left wing before O’Halloran crossed on 12 minutes. O’Connor converted.

Within minutes O’Halloran saved a certain try at the other end on the TMO’s ruling, but from the resulting five-metre scrum Taylor raced over for a try which he converted.

Fullback Olly Morgan and Mike Tindall’s presence in the backline kept Connacht’s defence on their toes, but the visitors finished the half the stronger. O’Halloran, Duffy, and replacement Kyle Tonetti showed their attacking prowess which led to the equalising penalty from O’Connor, and he added another just before the break after the Gloucester scrum was penalised.

Connacht maintained that momentum throughout the second half with O’Connor edging his side 16-10 in front. Gloucester’s first chance came in the 58th minute when replacement outhalf Freddie Burns closed the gap, but it was still Connacht creating the opportunities. Although they failed to convert, they kept their noses in front as both outhalves exchanged penalties. However, a last attack from Gloucester yielded a game-winning score for the home side to keep their faint hopes of qualification alive.

“We are disappointed that we are not winning because we are putting ourselves in great positions to take points and victories. But part of our learning curve and experience, particularly at this level, is how to close out games and win them,” said Elwood.

GLOUCESTER: Morgan; Sharples, Tindall, Fuimaono-Sapolu, Simpson-Daniel; Taylor, Runciman; Murphy, S Lawson, Harden, Buxton, Hamilton, Deacon, Hazell, Narraway. Replacements: May for Sharples (67), Burns for Taylor (41), R Lawson for Runciman (49), Wood for Murphy (55), Cortese for S Lawson (77), Knight for Harden (64), James for Buxton (67), Qera for Hazell (49).

CONNACHT:Duffy; McCrea, Griffin, McSharry, O'Halloran; N O'Connor, F Murphy; Wilkinson, Reynecke, Loughney, Naoupu, McCarthy, Gannon, J O'Connor, Muldoon. Replacements: Tonetti for McCrea (25), O'Donohoe for F Murphy (58), Rogers for Wilkinson (78), Flavin for Reynecke (56), Ah You for Loughney (58), McKeown for Gannon (52), Kearney for Muldoon (67).

Referee: Leighton Hodges (RFU).