Connacht batten down the hatches

ECSTATIC and joyous scenes in the Galway Sportsground last night, as Connacht finally delivered on their promise to turn their poor run of results around.

They did it in the most appropriate of settings— in front of 5,080 home supporters in their final Heineken Cup pool fixture.

Utilising every ounce of energy, this was a blood sweat and tears performance, denying Aviva Premiership leaders Harlequins a fifth cup win that would have ensured a quarter-final place.

Not only had Conor O’Shea’s side travelled with hopes of a win, but a bonus point in the bargain, but they were denied by a herculean Connacht defensive effort.

Eric Elwood, defence coach Mike Forshaw, forwards coach Dan McFarland, and Billy Millard can take a bow. This was a huge victory for the cup minnows that few would have predicted, and certainly at half time, even with a 9-5 lead, few could have written the script that would see Connacht claim their first Heineken Cup win in their debut season.

That half-time advantage came courtesy of three penalty kicks from out-half Niall O’Connor, but it was Connacht’s outstanding defence that stood out as the home side returned to their vintage in-your-face best. Despite limited possession, time after time Connacht’s tackling and work at the breakdown turned over possession — some of it critically when under pressure in their own 22.

Harlequins had won the toss and opted to face into the elements in the first half and O’Connor used it to his advantage when posting a fourth minute penalty from the 10m line after Quins were penalised at the scrum. Within minutes, however, Quins started punching holes through their back row, aided by lively scrum- half Danny Care.

From a penalty to touch, Quins found no way through via their pack, but they seized the opportunity when the ball was sent wide. Nick Evans, on the loop, sent a skip pass to left wing Sam Smyth who ran in for the opening try, with Evans missing the touchline conversion.

Connacht’s scrum, having taken a beating last week against Toulouse, measured up to the Quins pack in the first half, and won a penalty on the half-way line. O’Connor struck his effort perfectly to post another three points for the home side.

Two minutes later some bulldozing tackles had Quins on the back foot again, and Connacht forced a penalty from an ensuing ruck when Quins were off-side. The Connacht out-half, who has had his problems off the kicking tee this term, then struck a third kick to edge his in front by 9-5.

However Connacht’s possession was limited to a late surge in the first half as Quins took over, helped in no measure by some indiscipline in the Connacht ranks.

Four penalties ensured the visitors grabbed a foothold and had Connacht under pressure five metres from their own line. However, on two occasions Quins failed to capitalise and a knock-on from former All Black Evans summed up the pressure Connacht were putting their opponents under. Stirling work by Paul O’Donohoe, with some neat chip kicks out of defence, helped the home side reestablish territory, but O’Connor missed a 37th-minute effort from the 22 just before the break.

With the freshening wind it hardly seemed enough and within five minutes of the restart it was Connacht’ scrum under pressure.

Having conceded a penalty, Connacht found themselves defending their lines again, and it took a massive effort to keep Quins at bay as they opted to spurn kicks at goal for the killer blow.

Finally they opted for the kick and Evans posted a 60th-minute effort to come within one point, and when Quins got another kicking chance six minutes later, it was not looking good for the home side.

However, Evans’ kick from 30 metres swirled wide and with it went their chance of qualification.

Thereafter the story was one of staunch Connacht defence, which produced a rousing response from the crowd as every tackle was made until they could celebrated a famous victory.

Scorers for Connacht: N O’Connor 3 pens.

Scorers for Harlequins: S Smyth try; N Evans pen.

CONNACHT: G Duffy (capt); F Vainikolo, K Tonetti, H Fa’afili, T O’Halloran; N O’Connor, P O’Donohoe; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Loughney, M Swift, M McCarthy, J Muldoon, R Ofisa, G Naoupu.

Replacements: E Reynecke for Flavin (58m), D Buckley for Wilkinson (60m), D Rogers for Loughney (67m).

HARLEQUINS: M Brown; U Monye, M Hopper, J Turner-Hall, S Smith; N Evans, D Care; J Marler, C Brooker, J Johnston, T Vallejos, G Robson, M Faasavalu, C Robshaw (capt), N Easter.

Replacements: L Wallace for Fa’asavalu (42m),O Kohn for Cinalli (49m)m J Gray for Brooker (63m), M Lambert for Marler (74m).

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales).