Connacht (6) 14 Try: Keatley Pens: Keatley (2) Drop: Keatley
Scarlets (3) 17 Tries: Manu, S Jones Cons: S Jones (2) Pen: Priestland
Connacht's Niva Ta'auso is tackled by Darren Daniel of the Scarlets
|
Stephen Jones overcame illness to help the Scarlets to a comeback win over the Magners League's bottom team Connacht. Jones had a stomach bug during the week but, with Morgan Stoddart injured, was forced into action as a replacement. He converted Deacon Manu's try and his own 74th minute touchdown as Scarlets overturned a 14-3 deficit late on. Ian Keatley got all Connacht's points with a try, two penalties and a drop but missed two kickable penalties and a conversion, much to his team's cost. It was the Scarlets who got the first score with a fifth-minute penalty from Rhys Priestland but Connacht replied with two penalties from Keatley. The second half was just six minutes old when full-back Gavin Duffy sliced his way up to the Scarlets' 22, Mike McCarthy carried forward and then Keatley dummied and burst clear for a well-taken try. When the home fly-half tagged on a drop goal for an 11-point advantage, the Irish province looked well set for the win. But the Scarlets hit back with their first try as Jones kicked a penalty to touch and prop Manu drove over after a lineout catch and drive. The Scarlets introduced French recruit Yannick N'Gog and his fresh legs helped work Jones over for a crucial try.
Connacht: Duffy, Carr, Ta'auso, Matthews, Bibo, Keatley, Murphy, Wilkinson, Cronin, Morris, McCarthy, Farley, J. Muldoon, Ofisa, Rigney. Replacements: Flavin, Loughney, Swift, Browne, Campbell, Dunne, Deane. Scarlets: Stoddart, Daniel, King, Davies, Morris, Priestland, Roberts, John, Rees, Manu, Day, Cooper, Easterby, Edwards, Lyons. Replacements: I. Thomas, Owen, Reed, D. Jones, Cattle, S. Jones, N'gog. Referee: James Jones (WRU)
|
Bookmark with:
What are these?