Connacht’s hopes of earning their 1^st Heineken Cup win were dashed on Saturday as Gloucester won 14-10 in the Sportsground.

Connacht had the chance to draw first blood when Niall O’Connor stood up to take a difficult penalty after the hosts has a fantastic start. His effort drifted just wide after 10 minutes and it was Gloucester who struck first with 2 Freddie Burns penalties in the first quarter. Both sides left no stone unturned as they searched for the games first try and it was English international James Simpson Daniel who crossed for Gloucester on the half hour mark to give the visitors an 11 point lead. This was the stimulus that Connacht needed and right from the kick-off a hard chase was won by Ray Ofisa who set up the platform for captain Gavin Duffy to race in under the posts. Niall O’Connor’s conversion was good an all of a sudden Connacht were right back in contention.

Connacht picked up the second half as they finished the first with strong running, fierce rucking and clean lineout ball and 4 minutes in were rewarded with another Niall O’Connor penalty to leave the gap at just 1 point. Despite Connacht trying every avenue, from rumbling up with the forwards so cutting sharp attacking lines, they were unable to break down the Gloucester defense and, with 8 minutes left on the clock Freddie Burns kicked a penalty for Gloucester to leave the final score Connacht 10 Gloucester 14.

Connacht:

G Duffy, M McCrea, K Tonetti, D McSharry, T O’Halloran, N O’Connor, F Murphy, b Wilkinson, E Reynecke, R Loughney, D Gannon, M McCarthy, J Muldoon, R Ofisa, G Naoupu

A Flavin, D Buckley, R Ah You, M Kearney, E McKeon, P O’Donohoe, M Jarvis, F Vainikolo

Gloucester:

O Morgan, C Sharples, H Trinder, E Fuimaono-Sapolu, J Simpson-Daniel, F Burns, R Lawson, D Christolini, P Buxton, J Hamilton, B Deacon, A Hazell, L Narraway

M Cortese, D Murphy, R Harden, W James, A Qera, N Runciman, T Taylor, J May

All pics (C) www.inpho.ie / James Crombie