Cardiff 19
Connacht 28
Connacht secured the necessary win to remain top of their pool and secure the No 1 seed and home advantage in the next stages of the European Challenge Cup.
It was hard fought, but deserving in the end, and with maximum points from their pool, it was a real boost for the Irish outfit and their ambitions in this season’s Challenge Cup.
There was much at stake for both sides with Cardiff knowing a victory over the Irish outfit would ensure they would finish in the top four of Pool One and qualify for the last 16 in April.
They certainly did their best, but came up just short, and will now rely on other results to determine their future in the competition.
The home side had shown their intent from the start, taking possession and asking the early questions of the Connacht defence. And there were more tense moments for the visitors when Cardiff turned over possession inside their own 10 metres line, and tore down the field, only to be ultimately halted just yards from the line.
Connacht, however, started to play to their strengths in attack and with ball in hand, led by Josh Ioane, and Bundee Aki. Eventually the opening try came after 13 minutes when Josh Murphy broke away to score, and Ioane added the extras.
However, the home side reaped a reward soon after when hooker Evan Lloyd broke through the bodies to touch down, helped by great work from prop Rhys Barrett. When Ben Thomas converted to level matters after 17 minutes, Connacht knew they were in for another tough night in Arms Park.
The dogged defensive effort from Cardiff was again rewarded when they turned over possession with Connacht a mere inches from scoring a second try. It was a real psychological boost for the Welsh outfit that was determined to give themselves the best chance of advancing to the next round.
However, Connacht continued to dominate possession, but lacked clinical efficiency and composure in the face of a hardworking Cardiff cover which never relented, and in attack they were unlucky not to strike for a runaway try from Tom Bowan, who lost the ball forward.
Instead at the other end, Joe Joyce forced his way over the line after 38 minutes - the pack having made the hard yards after a penalty kicked to touch. Ioane’s conversion put Connacht ahead by 7-14 at the break.
However, Cardiff made Connacht fight to the end when they hit back early in the second half, profiting from a yellow card to Josh Murphy, which gave them added impetus.
Opting to kick a penalty to touch, open side Thomas Young had the where-with-all to break through the defence and level the score, with Ben Thomas adding the conversion.
With the home side taking heart from the crowd, they continued to stymie Connacht’s efforts until Connacht delivered a third try, putting the ball through the hands with Byron Ralston enjoying a super pass from Cordero, to cross for a third try, and Ioane added the conversion.
But Cardiff never gave up, and regained the initiative. In a break out down the left wing, Ellis Bevan supplied Thomas Young, who added another try. The missed conversion had Connacht just in front, but Cardiff had grabbed the initiative.
However, Connacht fought back and started to find some gaps as they gained ground. Eventually Cian Prendegast delivered the offload to sub Matthew Devine, who had the legs to finish off and put Connacht into a 19-28 lead with JJ Hanrahan converting.
The home side had a last chance - a superb kick to touch and a well worked driving maul. Ben Thomas came close when breaking away, but Connacht eventually held them out to navigate their way to top of the pool and a superb chance to go further in the competition.
Cardiff: J Beetham, G Hamer-Webb, R Lee-Lo, Rory Jennings, Tom Bowen, Ben Thomas (c ), Ellis Bevan, Rhys Barratt, Evan Lloyd, Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Thomas Young, Alun Lawrence. Replacements: Efan Daniel (61’ ),Danny Southworth (61’ ), Rhys Litterick (61’ ), Rory Thornton (67’ ),Seb Davies (54’ ), Johan Mulder (61’ ), Cameron Winnett (71’ )
Connacht: S Cordero, C Mullins, P O'Conor, B Aki, B Ralston, J Ioane, B Murphy, P Dooley, D Heffernan, F Bealham, J Murphy,J Joyce, C Prendergast (c ), C Oliver, P Boyle. Replacements: David Hawkshaw (58’ ), Jordan Duggan (64’ ), Jack Aungier (60’ ), David O’Connor (62’ ) Sean Jansen (58’ ), Matthew Devine (60’ ), David O’Connor (62’ ), JJ Hanrahan((62 ).
Referee: Morne Ferreira (South Africa )
