Connacht 36
Hollywoodbet Sharks 30
Connacht secured a valuable BKT URC victory to kickstart their home account when overcoming South African visitors Hollywoodbet Sharks with a second-half revival.
Trailing 7-27 at half-time, Pete Wilkins’ side produced a dominant 40 minutes to claim a bonus-point win, helped in no small measure by Cathal Forde, who took over the kicking duties after outhalf Josh Ioane missed the second half through injury.
Despite the reduced home support due to ongoing renovations at Dexcom Stadium, the 4,700 support made their presence felt as Connacht, with four changes from their opening two-point loss away to Munster, delivered a second 40 minutes that provided a valuable first home win of the season.
Connacht had produced the ideal start when an early penalty provided the first points - a penalty to touch was secured and helped by the driving force of Niall Murray, hooker and man of the match Dave Heffernan bagged the opening try, with outhalf Josh Ioane adding the extras.
However that was as good as it got in opening half as Connacht struggled to break through the Sharks’ defence, and found themselves on the back foot due to their opponents’ physicality in all areas of the pitch. And although Forde, Santiago Cordero and Josh Ioane were prominent in gaining territorial control, Connacht continued to be pinned back by the South African’s aggressive defence.
A succession of penalties provided the platform for the Sharks to make the opening breakthrough after 22 minutes, profiting from two successive penalties, and it was all too easy when lock Jason Jenkins and scrumhalf Bradley Davies combined before centre Andre Esterhuizen touched down for the first of their four first-half tries, with Siya Masuku converting.
Fullback Jordan Endrikse added their score with a penalty kick from half-way, and the visitors continued to be in charge - their physicality putting Connacht on the back foot for long periods. Although Jennings did his best to stymie Sharks’ attack, eventually Esterhuizen added his second, and they looked to be cruising when a penalty and controversial try for Gerbandt Grobler put them 27-7 points in front with Siya Masuky having converted both.
Having been bullied by the physicality of their opponents,Connacht looked in trouble at that stage, while not helped when losing outhalf Ioane for an HIA.
However Forde took control of the second half. Within three minutes Connacht had scored scored, Hansen and Forde having combined, with Forde added the extras. Two minutes later, from a penalty to touch, Heffernan added a second try to close the gap to 19-27.
While a tiring Sharks started to lose their bite, Connacht had the stamina to take control. Jennings’ superb interception provided the opportunity for a third, and although Forde and Ben Murphy were ready to play supporting roles, the left winger Jennings touched down - Forde’s conversion bringing the home side within one point, 26-27.
Although the Sharks produced opportunities to forge ahead, Connacht found another defensive gear, helped by some superb work on the ground by Cian Prendergast and Murphy. Although a Sam Illo try was disallowed, Oisin Dowling bagged the winning try from a forward drive, converted by Forde in the 72nd minute, putting Connacht into a 33-27 lead for the first time since their opening try.
With one last chance to extend the lead, Forde made no mistake with a penalty, and although the visitors' Masuku struck a late penalty, it did not prevent Wilkins’ side delivering a deserved victory. It was a performance full of courage and an unfailing determination - a worthy celebration for the hugely experienced Denis Buckley, who made his 250th appearance for the home side.
Connacht: Santiago Cordero, Mack Hansen, Piers O’Conor, Cathal Forde, Shane Jennings, Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy, Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Niall Murray, David O’Connor, Josh Murphy, Conor Oliver, Cian Prendergast (CAPT ).
Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Peter Dooley, Sam Illo, Oisín Dowling, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Caolin Blade, David Hawkshaw, Paul Boyle.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Jordan Hendrikse, Eduan Keyter, Jurenzo Julius, Andre Esterhuizen, Ethan Hooker, Siya Masuku, Bradley Davids, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Dylan Richardson, Ruan Dreyer, Jason Jenkins, Gerbrandt Grobler, James Venter, Vincent Tshituka (CAPT ), Emmanuel Tshituka?Replacements: Fez Mbatha, Trevor Nyakane, Hanro Jacobs, Corne Rahl, Reniel Hugo, Tinotenda Mavesere, Tian Meyer, Gurswin Wehr / Lionel Cronje.
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (FIR ).
