Bayonne 27 v 29 Connacht

Connacht recorded a last-gasp win at Stade Jean Dauger tonight, beating Bayonne by 29 points to 27 in round 4 of the European Challenge Cup.
On his first start for the province, Academy scrum half Caolin Blade scored a try in each half. Captain Miah Nikora, who kicked 19 points tonight, converted the 78th minute score to bring Pat Lam’s men in front for the first time in the game.

It was a tense finish when the hosts were awarded a penalty on the 80th minute but Bayonne centre and try scorer Mathieu Ugalde sent the last-ditch effort wide and Connacht kept their 100% record against the Basque region in tact.

FT: Bayonne 27 – 29 Connacht

BAYONNE: Jon Elissalde, Saimoni Caka, Lalakai Foketi, Matthieu Ugalde, Pierre Sayerse, Clement Otazo, Christophe Loustalot (captain)
Lucas Pointud, David Roumieu, Florian Lapeyrade, Lisiate Fa’aoso, Pelu Taele, Baptiste Chouzenoux, Clement Ancely, Thibault Visensang

REPLACEMENTS: Simon Labouyrie, Aretz Iguiniz, Lucas Pointud, Mark Chisholm, Guillaume Rouet, Bastien Duhalde, Gabririele Lovobalavu, Jean Monribot

CONNACHT: Darragh Leader, Niyi Adeolokun, Conor Finn, Craig Ronaldson, Fionn Carr, Miah Nikora (captain), Caolin Blade
Ronan Loughney, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Michael Swift, Aly Muldowney, James Connolly, Willie Faloon, Danny Qualter

REPLACEMENTS: Shane Delahunt (73” for Heffernan), Denis Buckley, Saba Meunargia (67” for Loughney), George Naoupu, Eoin McKeon , Kieran Marmion, Dave McSharry (73” for Finn), Matt Healy (4” for Carr)

REFEREE: Ian Davies (Wales)