Connacht battle to victory

Connacht overcame the Newport Gwent Dragons to grab only their second away Rabo Direct Pro 12 victory since their opening day visit to Treviso.

Connacht racked up a 19—9 first-half lead, but the pendulum swung in Newport’s favour with a bizarre 15 — 3 penalty count against the visitors in the second. And with Ronan Loughney in the sinbin, and Eoghan Grace following suit after just a minute on the field, Connacht had to produce an immense defensive display.

The Dragons started the scoring with a penalty from outhalf Lewis Robling but Vainikolo then finished off in the corner and Nikora added the conversion to put Connacht 7 — 3 ahead. Within minutes Robling responded with a second penalty.