| Connacht 'A' 21 Enisei STM 11 | |||||
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Connacht ‘A’ kicked off this challenge match amid swirling winds at The Sportsground against a physical Enisei STM side. Connacht boosted an impressive squad with senior players such as John Muldoon, Darragh Fanning and Mike McComish mixing seamlessly with Academy and club players alike. Connacht’s Dave Nolan made the most of a deft inside pass from Buccaneers Mark Dolan on the Russian 22m, he still had work to do and after fending off 3 tacklers stretched for the line and Connacht’s opening score. Aidan Wynne added the conversion to make it 7 3, Enisei converting an earlier penalty. Enisei’s scrum half squirmed over for a try after 27 minutes when a smooth lineout and 3 quick rucks left the Connacht defense stretched. He was unable to add the conversion but 8 minutes later their centre slotted a drop-goal. With the wind picking up both teams were forced to move the ball through the hands and both teams defences were tested with Connacht’s front row of Dylan Rogers, Dermot Murphy and Rob Sweeney stepping up to the plate while Danny Qualter and Dave Nolan were busy at the lineouts. Connacht’s 2nd try started with a huge shove from replacement tighthead Jamie Stevens which gave Kieran Marmion room to spread the ball wide for Jack Carth to run onto. He made the gap for Liam Bibo to squeeze through at full tilt and once he had fixed the fullback floated a pass out to Shane Monahan who dotted the ball over the line. Connacht were under pressure from the restart with a knockon giving the Russians possession, along with a penalty 2 minutes later. The defence held firm though and Connacht were able to clear their lines. Connacht’s 3rd try started out with 2 replacements linking smoothly with each other. Galwegians Conor Muldoon latching onto a stray Enisei lineout and making some hard yards before offloading in the tackle to Tadhg Leader who made another 15 yards. Connacht retained possession and several minutes later were rewarded when quick ball left Tiernan O’Halloran free on the left wing. He fixed his defender and slipped a pass inside into Liam Bibo who sprinted in from the 22m. The final score at the Sportsground: Connacht ‘A’ 21 – 11 Enisei STM Connacht ‘A’ will face Enisei again on Saturday at 3pm in the second ‘A’ match at the Sportsground this week. |
