Connacht get the better of the Sharks in the second half

Connacht came from behind to record a 36-30 bonus-point win over the Sharks in their United Rugby Championship Round Two match at the Sportsground in Galway on Saturday.

Despite taking an early (7-0) lead, the Irish province trailed 7-27 at half-time – the visitors from South Africa in devastating dominant form.

However, the turnaround after the break was monumental – Connacht scoring four tries and preventing the Sharks from getting across their line.

The visitors were left to salvage a losing bonus point with a penalty after the full-time hooter.

The shut-out by the Irish outfit was inspirational.

They dominated possession and territory.

Connacht got off to the perfect start – a powerful maul allowing Dave Heffernan to sit at the back and open the home’s team’s scoring with a try. Josh Ioane added the conversion – 7-0 inside five minutes.

The home team settled into a period of ‘keep ball’, but most of their play was lateral.

Just past the end of the first quarter Springbok Andre Esterhuizen burst through a game from a line-out move. Flyhalf Siyabonga Masuku added the conversion – 7-all.

The restart was directly into touch and from the subsequent scrum the Sharks won a penalty. Masuku, from 50 metres out, slotted the penalty to put the visitors in the lead – 10-7.

Just on the half-hour mark, the Sharks charged upfield, with Jurenzo Julius making the decisive break, before the ball was swung left where Esterhuizen again used his bulk to go over. Masuku added the conversion – 17-7.

Minutes later Connacht were penalised for not retreating after a kick forward and Currie Cup hero Jordan Hendrikse slotted the penalty from 60-plus metres – 20-7.

That was followed quickly by a line-out maul, with Gerbrandt Grobler getting over the line. The TMO had a few looks at the incident, but found nothing wrong. Masuku added the conversion – giving the visitors a 20-point (27-7) lead at half-time.

Connacht started the second half in the same fashion as the first – a beautifully weighted chip kick allowed Cathal Forde to sprint over. With Ioane off the field for an HIA, Forde added the conversion – 14-27.

A scrum penalty put Connacht within striking distance again on the 50-minute mark – Dave Heffernan getting his second maul try and his team’s third. Forde was wide of the mark with the conversion attempt, but at 19-27 the home team was back in the game.

Soon after the restart Shane Jennings intercepted a wide pass inside his 22 and sprinted more than 80 metres for the bonus-=point try. Forde made it a one-point game (26-27) with the conversion.

The Sharks looked rattled and Connacht certainly had their tails up – pinning the visitors back deep inside their half.

On the 70-minute mark, after a series of powerful forward surges, Sam Illo burst over the line. However, the TMO found that the ball came off the No.9’s foot to Illo in front of him and ruled out the try.

However, they were on advantage and from the subsequent penalty they went for a series of pick-and-goes, Oisín Dowling surged over. Forde made it a six-point game, 33-27, with the conversion.

The Sharks, now chasing the game, gave away penalties that smacked of panic.

With under a minute left on the clock, Forde put the seal on the victory with a penalty kick – 36-27.

There was enough time for Masuku to salvage a losing bonus point with a penalty from 40 metres out – 36-30 the final score in favour of Connacht.

The scorers

For Connacht
Tries: Heffernan 2, Forde, Jennings, Dowling
Cons: Ioane, Forde 3
Pen: Forde

For the Sharks
Tries: Esterhuizen 2, Grobler
Cons: Masuku 3
Pens: Masuku 2, Hendrikse