Connacht back in the groove

CONNACHT returned to winning ways last evening, but it took a huge second-half effort to overcome a physical Dragons side at the Galway Sportsground.

After a lacklustre first half, Connacht found themselves trailing 13-3 at the break, but they posted two tries in the second, and deservedly took their third win of this season’s RaboDirect Pro 12.

A break from Matthew Pewtner provided the away side with the perfect start, and prop Nathan Williams finished off, driving through in the 31st minute for a try before Tovey edged them further in front with a 33rd minute penalty.

However Connacht responded well and centre Eoin Griffin finished off in the left corner in the 56th minute with outhalf Matthew Jarvis converting, and nine minutes later Gavin Duffy crossed out wide — enough to regain their winning momentum.

CONNACHT: G Duffy (c), T O’Halloran, E Griffin, JH Fa’afili, B Tuohy, N O’Connor, F Murphy, B Wilkinson, E Reynecke,R Ah You, D Gannon, M McCarthy, J Muldoon, J O’Connor, R Ofisa.

Replacements: R Louhgney for Wilkinson and A Flavin for Reynecke (48m), M Jarvis for O’Connor (55m), O’Donohoe for Murphy (56m), D Roges for Ah You (56m), TJ Anderson for Ofisa (62m).

NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS: M Thomas, M Pewtner, P Leach, A Smith, G O’Driscoll, J Tovey, J Bedford, N Williams, T Willis, D Way, A Jones, R Sidoli, L Evans, G Thomas, A Coombs.

Replacements: T Riley for P Leach (36m), N Buck for D Way (51m), R Buckley for Willis (64m), D Waters for G Thomas (71m), J Groves for Jones (75m).