Match report: Connacht 24-19 Cardiff

Cardiff were denied another comeback victory over Irish opposition as Connacht earned a hard-fought 24-19 win at a blustery Dexcom Stadium.

The Blue & Blacks had trailed 14-0 in Galway, with a strong wind proving decisive. Cardiff were dealt a blow when Connacht snatched a third early in the second half but they battled back. 

Tries from Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Donnell on his return from injury and debutant Callum Braley brought the scores level, but Cardiff’s chances were thwarted in the closing stages through a fourth try from the home side.

Connacht opened the scoring inside 10 minutes at the Dexcom Stadium (The Sportsground), with scrum-half Ben Murphy finishing following some fine work from his half-back partner Josh Ioane. 

Ioane converted the effort to give his side an early 7-0 lead but Cardiff responded well with Rey Lee-Lo and Cam Winnett particularly lively. 

They were however unable to take advantage of their periods of pressure and Connacht world their way back up field. With there sizeable pack and strike runners they punched into Cardiff. The Blue & Blacks defended admirably but the pressure eventually told and Shamus Hurley-Langton powered over. 

The Blue & Blacks struggled to impose themselves, playing against the wind with mistakes proving costly and Connacht turning the screw. 

The Galway-based province had the opportunity to land a further blow when Dan Thomas was harshly penalised in his own 22. But Cardiff were offered a reprieve when the hosts pointed the posts, not the corner and breathed a sigh of relief as Ion’s ugly strike screwed left of the uprights. 

Cardiff then had the opportunity to end the half on a high, as a well worked driving line out earned a penalty. They went on the attack and secured another penalty, which was knocked towards the corner but at the key moment, the line out miss-fired and Connacht held on for a 14-0 half-time lead. 

Matt Sherratt’s side dominated the opening minutes of the half but were unable to breakdown the Irish defence and got no reward from the officials. 

One mistake and the hosts were now deep in Cardiff’s half and after quickly winning a succession of penalties, they rumbled over for a third try. 

Ioane’s conversion blew wide but the hosts now held a commanding 19-0 lead and Cardiff had it all to do. 

They almost instantly hit back when Winnett released Beetham, who was a first half replacement for Harri Millard, down the left and then the full-back crossed in the same corner. 

It was an impressive finish from the full-back with the on field decision ‘try’ but replays showed his toes brushed the line as he dived to the corner. 

Cardiff came back for a penalty however, and after a handful of phases, a short ball from Rory Jennings sent Lee-Lo powering over. Sheedy added the extras to make it 19-7. 

Discipline continued to plague Cardiff and gave Connacht easy territory but there could be no complaints about the defence, following a herculean effort as the hour mark approached.

Connacht went through more than 20 phases as they hammered away but the Blue & Black wall held strong and was eventually rewarded with a penalty. 

Following the extended period of defence, they were left with a makeshift backline as Beetham was forced off. Callum Braley came on for his club debut with Johan Mulder moving to the wing. 

It made little difference as Cardiff went on the attack and claimed a fine second try. Jennings was again the provider as he fizzed a miss-pass to Donnell, who clattered over in the corner. Sheedy was unable to add the touchline  conversion, with the swirling wind causing both kickers problems but the Blue & Blacks were now in touching distance at 19-12.

And they were soon level. 

They struck with a find team try after a clever set move on the half-way line which saw Jennings switch play back inside to Gabe Hamer-Webb at pace. 

He burst through and when tackled managed to release his hands to Lee-Lo. The ball was spread to Winnett and then Mulder, who raced to the corner and almost stepped inside the last man but the damage was done and Braley sniped over for a debut score. 

Sheedy converted to tie the scores and set up a tense final ten minutes.

The home side responded well, and won a penalty at the breakdown which allowed them to kick for the corner. From there they were able to win the lineout and set up a driving maul that saw replacement hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin cross over for their fourth try of the game.

Callum Sheedy’s restart was unfortunately taken by the wind and went dead, allowing Connacht to run the clock down in the midfield.

And despite Thomas Young winning a penalty in the closing seconds to set up a potential Cardiff attack, Connacht were able to hang on for the victory