RUGBY MAGNERS LEAGUE: Connacht 14 Cardiff Blues 19CONNACHT SUFFERED a devastating late blow at the Sportsground last night when it seemed they had done enough to exact revenge on Cardiff Blues for a 58-0 drubbing earlier this season. Michael Bradley's men built up a 14-0 interval lead with the wind and while the Blues hit back after the restart, Connacht looked to have weathered the storm.

They led by 14-6 with eight minutes remaining and while Ben Blair reduced the deficit to five with another penalty, Connacht still led by a try in the seventh minutes of stoppage. But then disaster struck after failing to clear their lines and Blues skipper Robin Sowden-Taylor levelled the game with a burst from outside the 22. Blair put the Blues in front for the first time with the conversion and to add salt to the gaping wound, he landed a penalty a minute later for a flattering win.

Connacht’s first attack yielded a score after 13 minutes as Ian Keatley slotted a penalty after the Blues were guilty of going offside. From there to the interval Bradley’s men had a clear edge. Keatley planted some excellent line kicks. Full-back Troy Nathan was also instrumental as Connacht got on top and they crossed for the first try after 23 minutes.

The Blues were again penalised inside their 22 and Nathan tapped, fed lock Andrew Browne and he put Ray Ofisa over in the left corner for an 8-0 lead. Keatley missed the touchline conversion but Connacht continued to press and Keatley extended their lead five minutes from the break with a 30 metres penalty.The Blues’ hooker T Rhys Thomas was binned for not rolling away, and Keatley landed the penalty for a deserved 14-0 interval lead.

Blair landed two penalties early in the second half but Connacht rallied and led 14-6 with eight minutes left. Sowden-Taylor then struck, Blair converted and then landed a penalty from the 10-metre line.

CONNACHT: T Nathan; L Bibo, G Duffy, K Matthews, F Carr; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Morris; A Browne, A Farley; D Gannon, R Ofisa, J Muldoon. Replacements: M Swift for Gannon (64 mins); M Deane for Nathan (70 mins); R Loughney for Morris (70 mins); J O'Connor for Browne (76 mins); Browne for Wilkinson (80 mins).

CARDIFF BLUES: B Blair; R Mustoe, J Robinson, C Sweeney, T James; N Robinson, J Spice; R Gill, T Thomas, G Powell; D Jones, S Morgan; M Molitika, X Rush, R Sowden-Taylor. Replacements: C Czekaj for J Robinson (injured, 38 mins); T Filise for Gill (52 mins); R Rees for Spice (76 mins); G Williams for Thomas (76 mins).

Referee: G Knox (Scotland).