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By John O'Sullivan
Connacht 14-15 Edinburgh.
An Edinburgh try in the last play of the game condemned Connacht to a 14-15 defeat at a rain-sodden Sportsground.
Tries from Sean O'Brien -- who marked his first start in style -- and Shane Delahunt -- both of which Jack Carty converted -- saw the hosts establish a 14-5 half time lead, with Edinburgh's score coming from lock Magnus Bradbury.
However, the Westerners were reduced to 14 men early in the second half when captain Jarrad Butler was red-carded for a high tackle and the visitors took advantage, scoring eight unanswered points -- via a try, conversion and penalty from out-half Nathan Chamberlain -- to seal the win with a touch down in the last play of the game.
It was a big night for O'Brien and Cian Prendergast, who both had positive performances in their first starts, as well as Oran McNulty, who made his professional debut as a second-half replacement.
With the pre-match rain subsiding, Connacht looked to attack early on and run the ball. Their efforts were rewarded when O’Brien -- in his first senior start for the province -- ran a powerful, cutting line to meet Kieran Marmion’s pass and power over the line after the Westerners quickly recycled the ball when Edinburgh tackled Alex Wootton close to the line. Carty made no mistake in adding the extras and the hosts had a deserved 7-0 lead.
Connacht were intent on adding to their early try and enjoyed the lion's share of the possession and territory for the majority of the opening half. The Scots were resolute in defence, though, and held out before launching a rare attack and scoring.
Eventually, after a series of hard carries in the 22, lock Magnus Bradbury stooped over the line to touch down for an unconverted try, which brought the score to 7-5 in favour of the hosts.
The Westerners -- with second-row Niall Murray particularly impressive -- reacted well to the concession of this try and closed out the half with a score of their own.
Turning down the opportunity to kick at goal on the brink of half time, Connacht instead kicked to the line. Their ambition paid dividends when Delahunt, at the tail of a powerful, marching maul, touched down and Carty, despite the difficult angle, accurately slotted the extras to make the half time score 14-5.
The second half began in a similar fashion with Connacht looking to add to their two tries. Edinburgh, however, were sturdy in defence and held firm.
After a red card for Butler reduced the Westerners to 14, the Scotsmen seized the initiative in attack.
Chamberlain brought the score back to 14-8 with a penalty and then, in the last play of the game -- after Connacht, with replacements Jordan Duggan and Conor Kenny especially impressive in defence, had remained airtight in defence -- the out half ran in a try under the posts, which he converted, to give the away team the win.
Connacht team:
(15-9)
15:Alex Wootton
14:Ben O’Donnell
13: Sean O’Brien
12: Tom Daly
11: Matt Healy
10: Jack Carty
9: Kieran Marmion
(1-8)
Replacements: Jonny Murphy f0r Delahunt, Jordan Duggan for Buckley, Conor Kenny for Aungier, Abraham Papali'i for Prendergast, Caolin Blade for Marmion, Oran McNulty for O'Donnell.