Connacht 30

Rovigo 3

Connacht chalked up another five points in their quest for a quarter-final spot in the European Challenge Cup with a good win over Rovigo at the Sportsground on Friday night.

Having won 35-20 in Italy last week, Michael Bradley’s men produced another victory with four tries to keep their qualification hopes on track.

Frank Murphy, who scored two tries in the win in Italy, repeated the feat by crossing for another brace.

He scored a try in each half as Connacht pulled away having led 18-3 at the break.

Ian Keatley kicked two early penalties and hooker Adrian Flavin finished off a good drive from a lineout for the opening try.

Scrum-half Murphy hit for tries either side of the break before the crucial fourth try was secured by Andrew Farley six minutes from the end.

SCORERS:

Connacht:

Tries: Murphy (2), Flavin, Farley

Cons: Keatley (2)

Pens: Keatley (2)

Rovigo:

Drop goal:

Connacht: F Carr; T Nathan, G Duffy, K Matthews, D Riordan; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Morris; A Browne, A Farley; D Gannon, R Ofisa, M McCarthy.

Replacements: M Swift for Ofisa, half-time; M Deane for Carr, 69 mins; S Cronin for Gannon, 69 mins; K Campbell for Murphy, 78 mins; T Donnelly for Keatley, 78 mins; J Lyne for Wilkinson, 78 mins; B McGovern for Morris, 78 mins.

Rovigo: S Basson; J Sanchez, N di Maura, G Bustos, A Bacchetti; S Ambrosio, S Canale; B Fortuna, V Vicere, M Sclosa, M Barion, D Tumiati, S Favaro, N Badocchi, A Giuria

Replacements: N Pavin for Sanchez, 40mins; A Di Marchi for Vicere, 49 mins; F Damiano for B Fortuna, 49 mins; F Aretusini for Di Maura, 64 mins; J Immelman for Barion, 64 mins; E Boarato for Ambrosio, 70 mins.

Referee: David Rosich (France)