Elwood takes the positives

GAME lost, but another goal achieved.

Coach Eric Elwood, in trying to put a positive spin on Connacht’s injury-time loss to the Scarlets, insisted his side had taken a “giant step” forward despite leaving the game behind them.

Three points up, Connacht had kept the chasing Scarlets at bay until Scottish international Sean Lamont swept over the line to give the Welsh outfit their first victory of the Magners League campaign and a bonus point in the 87th minute.

“To lose a game with that amount of effort and endeavour seven minutes into injury time, its gut wrenching,” said Elwood.

Some time back Connacht may not have sniffed at having earned six points in the two opening games, not to mention a first losing bonus point away from home in two seasons.

Out-half Ian Keatley enjoyed an unblemished kicking record, and in trying to transform last season’s woeful away record, that included a 58-10 loss at the same venue, they did lay some ghosts to rest.

“I suppose you can put any slant on it, but you do have to take the positives. Yes, its a big improvement, yes it’s our first bonus point away from home in two years.

“We are trying to change the mentality of Connacht and we want to get respect – that we are not just seen as being good at home where it’s windy and raining, but to be competitive away. We took a giant step today, but we have another challenge against Glasgow on Friday.”

Of more concern to Elwood will be how his side failed to play smart enough rugby in the final frantic final eight minutes of injury time, and suffered another two sin-binnings in their second match in each half. Both proved costly with the Scarlets taking advantage with tries.

“I didn’t see the first one (Frank Murphy), but the second one (Ronan Loughney) I thought was harsh. That’s the interpretation of the referees. We are only two weeks into the league, and it’s a learning curve for everyone,” said Elwood.

Connacht, however, coped with the sin-binnings, scored three tries – all from left wing Fionn Carr – and took a 33-30 lead on 75 minutes.

Yet in failing to find touch on more than one occasion, they simply handed the initiative back to the Scarlets who had the firepower to make it count at the last.

SCARLETS: A Fenby; G North, R King, J Davies, S Lamont; S Jones, M Roberts (T Knoyle 57); P John (I Thomas 57), M Rees (K Owens 76), R Thomas (P Edwards 76); L Reed, J Fa’amatuainu (D Day 80); J Turnbull, J Edwards, R McCusker.

CONNACHT: G Duffy; T Nathan, N Ta’auso (M Nikora 61), K Matthews, F Carr; I Keatley, F Murphy (C Willis 57); B Wilkinson (R Loughney 61), S Cronin (A Flavin 80), J Hagan; M Swift, B Upton; M McCarthy, R Ofisa, M McComish.

Referee: N Paterson (Scotland).