Challenge Cup/ Connacht 26-13 Montpellier:Micahel Bradley's Connacht resurrected their European campaign with a bonus-winning performance against French visitors Montpellier at the Galway Sportsground last evening.
In grabbing the full complement of points and their first win in this season's European Challenge Cup, Connacht improved their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages for a fifth successive year after narrow losses to both Harlequins and Bath.
Connacht were well and truly on their way to a winners' bonus point by half-time, having bagged three tries, but Montpellier made them work every inch of the way.
Old rivals from the past two seasons, Montpellier proved much trickier than in previous years when Connacht posted victory margins of 53 and 33 points. The French outfit, traditionally poor travellers, were still fighting with 10 minutes remaining despite Connacht nailing down their fourth try on 61 minutes.
With the first-half wind, which died significantly as the game progressed, Connacht dominated the opening 30 minutes and were quickly on the attack, utilising fast scrumhalf Conor O'Loughlin who was making his first start of the season.
His break from an opening lineout manifested itself in an opening opportunity for Connacht, but outhalf David Slemen missed the 22-metres penalty, and it took 20 minutes before the province managed to get on the scoreboard. Centre Paul Warwick, the playmaker of the team, had his hand in two of the three tries - the first after his chip and catch set up Keith Matthews.
Although the left wing was tackled 10 metres out, Connacht earned themselves the vital penalty from which hooker Adrian Flavin grabbed the opening try from a forward maul, and outhalf Slemen added the points.
A dangerous tackle from outhalf Francois Trinh Duc on Gavin Willliams did not help Montpellier's cause, and in the next 10 minutes Connacht made the advantage count. Replicating their first try from a lineout and drive, Flavin notched the second after 27 minutes, and it got better four minutes later when Warwick instigated the best try of the game. Breaking from his own 22, Warwick dummied twice and ran through some half dozen players to bring play within 30 metres, perfectly judging his pass to the supporting Danny Riordan who finished off under the posts.
Connacht appeared to be cruising at the stage, but Montpellier came right back into contention. Enjoying a dominant 10 minutes before the break, centre Regis Lespinas posted two penalties before the French attacked the Connacht line on the resumption. After recycling possession through several phases, Lespinas - Montpellier's best attacking threat - sold the dummy to touch down between the posts. His conversion narrowed the gap to 19- 13, preventing Connacht from resting on their laurels.
Connacht's difficulty in the scrum did not help, nor did their inability to offload in the tackle despite some fine breaks, but the hard-working pack with a solid lineout ensured the home side maintained control and composure.
Eventually the fourth try arrived, courtesy of a great angled burst from centre Gavin Williams. The forwards had done the business in the ruck, turning over vital ball, and Williams brushed off three players on his diagonal run to touch down.
Replacement outhalf Mark McHugh added the conversion, and after that it was a matter of keeping Montpellier out. Ted Robinson showed great pace to that effect in a classic kick and chase, and aside from Lespinas, Montpellier never threatened again. However, their physicality ensured Connacht will not take the return trip for granted when they meet again next Friday.
Scoring sequence: 20 mins: Flavin try, Slemen con 7-0; 27: Flavin try, 12-0; 31: Riordan try, Slemen con 19-0; 38: Lespinas pen, 19-3; 40: Lespinas penalty 19-6. Half-time 19-6. 43: Lespinas try, con 19-13; 61: Williams try, McHugh con 26-13.
CONNACHT: D Riordan; K Matthews, P Warwick, G Williams, T Robinson; D Slemen, C O'Loughlin; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, S Knoop, D Gannon, A Farley (capt), M Swift, R Ofisa, J Muldoon. Replacements: M McHugh for Slemen, C Keane for O'Loughlin (both 60 mins), J Hearty for Warwick (66 mins), C Rigney for Swift (70 mins)
MONTPELLIER: O Sarramea; J Boussuge, R Lespinas, H Crane, A Koko; F Trinh Duc, J Thomas; N Descamps, J Caudullo, A Vigna, G Uva, M Macurdy, M Durand, F Oeudraogo, J Russell. Replacements: P Toleafoa for N Descamps (h-t), C Mathieu for Russell, D Hancke for Macurdy, N Grelon for Caudullo (all 56 mins), JM Alcalde for Boussuge, S Logerot for Sarramea (both 66 mins), J Taele for Duc (70 mins).
Referee: Sean Davey(England)
