Celtic League Connacht 11 Edinburgh 3Connacht's enduring strength of character once again manifested itself in a memorable victory over a Heineken Cup outfit, this time Edinburgh, at the Galway Sportsground.
Two years ago, coach Steph Nel called it the surprise factor, but since then Connacht have continued to emphasise that, as a professional entity under pressure of extinction, they can do the business on the park. Now new coach Michael Bradley acknowledges Connacht's character plays a key part in the province's success.
"They got stuck in and showed character, which to be fair has been evident in this side for the last three years. It has been a continual progression and we now want to take it to the next level. That they came through today is a huge positive."
With a poor line-out, a mounting penalty count, and the wind at their face, Connacht held out till the last few minutes just three points ahead. Then they mounted the game's only serious challenge, taking on the Edinburgh pack.
When the Scots conceded a penalty just yards from the line for collapsing the maul, Connacht stuck to their task. A penalty kicked to touch, a Damien Browne catch, and a surge forward was rewarded when John Fogarty claimed the try.
"We can take confidence in our ability to maul. We have a big physical front five and that is an area we hope to exploit," Bradley said. "In the last 15 minutes we showed a lot of composure, we took control of the game, and then took our chances."
Eric Elwood nosed Connacht ahead after four minutes when Edinburgh infringed in the ruck, stretching the lead to 6-0 with a similar kick after 34 minutes.
When Ander Monro opened Edinburgh's account after 45 minutes with a penalty, it appeared they might have started a resurgence. Instead, Connacht's defence once again prevailed before they took control and broke through for Fogarty's try after 76 minutes.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 4 mins: Elwood pen, 3-0; 34 mins: Elwood pen: 6-0; half-time: 6-0; 45 mins: Monro penalty, 6-3; 76 mins: Fogarty try, 11-3.
CONNACHT: M McHugh; C McPhillips, D Yapp, T Allnutt (capt), W Munn; E Elwood, C Keane; W O'Kelly, B Jackman, A Clarke, D Browne, A Farley, M Swift, J O'Sullivan, M Lacey. Replacements: T Robinson for Yapp (half-time), D McFarland for O'Kelly (54 mins), H Fogarty for Jackman (70 mins), D Hewitt for McPhillips (75 mins.
EDINBURGH: D Lee; T Philip, C Joiner, A Dickson, C Sharman; B Laney, G Burns; C Smith, A Kelly, J Brannigan, G Parrett, A Kellock, T Blackadder (capt), S Cross, A Hogg. Replacements: A Monro for Laney (22 mins), A Dall for Hogg (54 mins), D Hall for Kelly (62 mins), R Lawson for Burns (70 mins).
Referee: G Simmons (Wales).
