Connacht completed a historic 1^st ever Heineken Cup victory when they overcame Harlequins in the Sportsground on Friday night.

Eric Elwood's men started the game at a ferocious pace in front of the 5,420 strong crowd and never let up for the full 80 minutes.

A dominant Connacht pack pinned Harlequins deep in their own half and with a gale blowing straight down the pitch 'Quins were unable to kick for territory. The pressure showed after just 4 minutes when Niall O'Connor found his range with a 35m penalty after Harlequins were caught offside. The visitors struck back straight away with a combination of pick and drives before unleashing the backs from right to left, Sam Smith scoring in the corner after referee Nigel Owens had to consult the TMO. Nick Evans missed the conversion and 2 minutes later Niall O'Connor added his second penalty to put the home side back in front at 6-5. Superb breakdown work from Connacht earned them another penalty after just 15 minutes and Niall O'Connor extended the lead to 4 points with his kick.

The weather dictated the tactics of both sides and when Connacht were penalised 20 minutes into the second half Evans stood up and reduced the deficit to 1 point and ensure a nail-biting final quarter for the home side. Connacht soaked up everything the Premiership leaders could throw at them and when Connacht were award a scrum with 30 seconds to go it looked all over. Quins overturned the scrum but couldn't capitalise on the possession and Connacht ran out 9-8 victors, earning their 1^st Heineken Cup win in their maiden season in the tournament.

It was a fitting end to Connacht's pool stages with the grit and determination evident in some very close results and this victory will be savoured long after the event has passed.

Next up a well earned break after a record 13 games on the bounce before Connacht travel to Cardiff on the 10^th of February in a return to RaboDirect PRO12 action.

Connacht:

Gavin Duffy (C), Fetu'u Vainikolo, Kyle Tonetti, Henry Fa'afili, Tiernan O'Halloran, Niall O'Connor, Paul O'Donohoe, Brett Wilkinson, Adrian Flavin, Ronan Loughney, Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy, John Muldoon, Ray Ofisa, George Naoupu

Replacements:

Ethienne Reynecke, Denis Buckley, Dylan Rogers, Mick Kearney, Eoin McKeon, Dave Moore, Miah Nikora, Matthew Jarvis

Harlequins:

Mike Browne, Ugo Moyne, Matt Hooper, Jordan turner-Hall, Sam Smith, Nick Evans, Danny Care, Joe Marler, Chris Brooker, James Johnston, Tomas Vallejos, George Robson, Maurie Fa'asavalu, Chris Robshaw (C), Nick Easter

Replacements:

Joe Gray, Mark Lambert, Tim Fairbrother, Olly Kohn, Luke Wallace, Richard Bolt, Rory Clegg, Tom Casson

All pics (C) www.inpho.ie