Connacht lost to Aironi in Stadio Zaffenalla on Saturday evening when outhalf Luciano Orquera kicked 5 penalties coupled with an Aironi try. The 22 times capped Italian international bagging 3 points from each of Aironi’s 3 visits to the Connacht half in the opening 20 minutes but it was Connacht’s execution that let the visiting side down. Despite fielding the majority of possession and posing the more attacking team in the first half Connacht were unable to break down the Aironi defense that boasted no fewer than 12 Italian internationals

Trailing 9 0 at the break Connacht knew they would need a strong start to the second half but it was the hosts who scored first, Sinoti Sinoti crashing over from short range for the games only try. Orquera missed the conversion and it was Connacht’s turn to get on the scoreboard next, Matthew Jarvis converting the penalty to bring the score to 17 3 after 50 minutes. Orquera nullified that 3 minutes later with a penalty of his own and though Niall O’Connor kicked 3 points  with 15 minutes to go Connacht were unable to close the gap further, dispite attacking the Aironi line on several occasions.

Connacht’s running game proved threatening throughout with the forwards applying huge pressure to the Aironi scrum and the backline attacks looking slick and sharp. It was small errors across the park that ruined  the chance to convert the lions share of possession and territory to the elusive win this team have been searching for. Up next is another difficult assignment as Connacht head to the South of France to take on French leaders Toulouse in the Heineken Cup. The following week sees Connacht welcome Harlequins to the Sportsground for the final pool game of the Heineken Cup and tickets can still be purchased from www.ticketmaster.ie.

Connacht:

Gavin Duffy, Fetu’u Vainikolo, Kyle Tonetti, Dave McSharry, Tiernan O’Halloran, Matthew Jarvis, Frank Murphy, Brett Wilkinson, Adrian Flavin, Dylan Rogers, Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy, Mick Kearney, John Muldoon, George Naoupu

Replacements:

Ethienne Reynecke, Denis Buckley, Stewart Maguire, Eoin McKeon, Ray Ofisa, Paul O’Donohoe, Niall O’Connor, Henry Fa’afili

Treviso:

Masi, Toniolatti, Quartaroli, Pizarro, Sinoti, Orquera, Keats, De Marchi, Santamaria, Staibano, Bortolami, Cattina, Favaro, Sole

Replacements:

D’Aspice, Perugini, Romano, Geldenhuys, Bergamasco, Tebaldi, Oliver, Benettin

Pictures (C) www.inpho.ie