Connacht leave Llanelli scarlet

Llanelli 12 Connacht 14

A fine individual performance from former Ireland A full-back Mark McHugh, crowning his night with three penalties and a try, was enough for Michael Bradley’s Connacht side to advance to a November Celtic Cup semi-final at a stunned Stradey Park.

Salesi Finau and Dale Burn crossed for Scarlet tries with Gareth Bowen converted one of them, but crucially missing two penalty attempts and a drop goal in the closing stages to see the current Celtic League leaders out of this knockout competition.

Early pressure from the home side resulted in Tongan Finau powering past the tackle of Matt Mostyn for the opening score in the corner. A turnover from a slack pass to Bowen saw Connacht go wide and allow McHugh ghost up from his full-back position and score in the Scarlets’ left corner.

Connacht prop Ray Hogan was held up close to the Llanelli line as the half drew to a close before a knock-on saw the visitors take in half-time, on level terms at 5-5.

Wing Conor McPhilips, scorer of three Celtic tries this season, was yellow-carded for a late tackle on Matt Watkins nearing the hour mark, after Bowen has miscued with a penalty attempt and a chance to go in front.

From the McPhilips infringement, Burn sniped over for a converted try to edge them clear and with a man advantage, they should have sealed a win. With ten minutes to go, McHugh single-handedly brought Connacht back with two penalties putting them with a point of their hosts.

A poor Welsh pack gifted the on-form McHugh another penalty and he duly slotted it over from inside the Llanelli ten metre line, putting them two points in front.

Bowen missed an 82nd minute penalty of his own in front of the posts, and a final desperate drop goal, to confirm the Connacht win and prove that league standings still mean nothing in the heat of Cup competition.

Scorers: Llanelli: Finau, Burn tries; Bowen con

Connacht: McHugh try, 3 pens