Connacht keep URC knockout hopes alive with bonus point win over Zebre

SMILES ALL ROUND: Bundee Aki of Connacht takes a selfie with supporters after his side's victory in the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Zebre Parma at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Connacht 54 Zebre 16

Connacht kept their URC knockout hopes alive with an expected bonus point win over basement side Zebre with academy scrum-half Matthew Devine leading the way with a superb display on his first start for his native province.

The Garbally College and Ballinasloe RFC protégé crowned a magnificent display with a brace of tries when the game was still alive in the opening half.

Connacht then pushed on for an eight tries to two win to stay in contention for the URC quarter-finals and a place in next season’s Champions Cup.

Devine, who signed his first professional contract just over a week ago, had impressed in a couple of cameos off the bench and made the most of the opportunity to claim two excellent scores.

The bonus point win was badly needed by Connacht to keep their hopes of a knockout place alive and Devine made his mark when the game was still competitive in the opening half.

Indeed, Zebre hit the front with a drop goal from Lorenzo Pani after 13 minutes while they had the first of three men in the bin after centre Fetuli Paea was binned for a high hit on John Porch.

But Devine tapped and went through a pile of bodies to score his opening try after 16 minutes, with JJ Hanrahan converting.

Jacopo Trulla of Zebre is tackled by Caolin Blade of Connacht during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Zebre Parma at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

However, Zebre hit back and got in for a try from Jacopo Trulla after a grubber bounced horribly for young full-back Shane Jennings after 21 minutes.

It took Devine just two minutes to cancel that when he sniped and broke from deep, escaping two tackles before rounding out-half Geronimo Prisciantelli for an excellent try. Hanrahan converted to make it 14-8 and Connacht never looked back.

They led 21-11 at the break when Niall Murray scored just before the break after an excellent crosskick from Hanrahan and they wrapped up the bonus point six minutes after the restart when Tom Farrell scored after good work from Andrew Smith.

There was no way back for the Italians in front of a crowd of 4,756, with Smith again involved before Sean O’Brien got their fifth try after 52 minutes.

Enrico Lucchin pulled back a try for the Parma side after 65 minutes but they lost replacement hooker Danilo Fischetti to a late tackle and later lock Andrea Zambonin on another frustrating night for them.

Connacht pushed on with Bundee Aki scoring their fifth before Hanrahan crowned a fine display with a try and the rout was completed in the closing stages of a facile win with a penalty try.

Scorers for Connacht

Tries: M Devine (2), N Murray, T Farrell, S O’Brien, B Aki, JJ Hanrahan, penalty try.

Cons: JJ Hanrahan (6 from 7).

Scorers for Zebre

Tries: J Trulla, E Lucchin.

Drop goal: L Pani.

Pen: S Gesi.

Connacht: S Jennings; J Porch, T Farrell, B Aki, A Smith; JJ Hanrahan, M Devine (C Blade 56); J Duggan (P Dooley 49), D Heffernan (T McElroy 58-68), F Bealham (S Illo 58); J Joyce (O Dowling 58), N Murray; S Hurley-Langton, C Oliver, S O’Brien (P Boyle 53).

Zebre: L Pani; J Trulla, S Gregory, F Paea (E Lucchin 62), S Gesi; G Prisciantelli (F Smith 25-35), G Garcia (T Dominguez 53); M Hasa (D Fischetti 53), G Ribaldi J Pitinari; L Krumov, A Zambonin; G Volpi, D Ruggeri (I Bianchi 50), G Licata (c).

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa).