[ad_1]
Connacht’s European hopes are over for another season as their terrible record in England continued at Welford Road when they were punished for a series of mistakes in a bizarre Challenge Cup match.
Onnacht’s hopes of what would be only his third win in 28 matches in England were dashed by conceding some regrettable attempts in the first half.
Connacht, despite 65% possession, was down 24-11 after a calamitous first half where much of the hard work was undone by a terrible defense that coughed up attempts for a Leicester team that opted to rest a great deal. of top players, including England international George Ford. and Ellis Genge.
Initially, it looked like Connacht would thrive on Steve Borthwick’s decision to focus on the Premiership with academy center Sean O’Brien opening up the home defense to send Kieran Marmion into the left corner after seven minutes.
But Leicester struck back and worked a good try for hooker Charlie Clare after a penalty in the left corner and then the wheels came off as Connacht gave Leicester three tries for winger Guy Porter, center Marias Moroni and winger. Zack Henry, the last two. coming in with hooker Clare in the bin when referee Adam Jones finally took action on a penalty count that went 10-1 for the visitors in the first half.
A second penalty from Jack Carty reduced the margin before the break and four minutes after the restart, Eoghan Masterson broke a ruck to score, with Carty’s conversion closing the gap to 24-18.
Connacht was in dire need of the next score, but it was Leicester who extended the lead to 27-18 after 57 minutes when former Irish Under-20 Johnny McPhillips took advantage of a penalty.
But Connacht struck back and a good pass up the back from replacement scrum half Caolin Blade put Alex Wootton on the pass and overcame challenges from Ben Youngs and Porter to score under the posts, with Carty’s conversion bridging the gap. to 27-25. in the last quarter.
He had the opportunity to overtake Connacht with 18 minutes remaining, but he went wide with a penalty from 40 meters.
Leicester responded and another penalty to the right corner was an inevitable result as the Tigers ripped it apart and hooker Clare got her second try of the night. McPhillips put nine points between them with an excellent conversion.
Captain Paul Boyle gave Connacht hope with a try eight minutes from time that Conor Fitzgerald converted to cut the gap to two, but Abraham Papali’i had the ball ripped off inside his 22 and Harry Wells crossed to seal it early. for Jasper Wiese to get his seventh. please try it in the final minutes.
Scorers – Leicester Tigers: C Clare 2, G Porter, M Moroni, Z Henry, H Wells, J Wiese tries; Z Henry 2 cons; J McPhillips 3 cons, pen
Connacht: K Marmion, E Masterson, A Wootton, P Boyle tries; J Carty 2 cons, 2 pens; C Fitzgerald with
Leicester Tigers: Z Henry (F Steward 55); H Potter, M Moroni (D Kelly 72), M Scott, G Porter; J McPhillips, B Youngs (c) (B White 69); L de Bruin (J Whitcombe 69), C Clare (N Dolly 78), J Heyes (W Hurd 48); C. Henderson, T. Lavanini (H. Wells 48); G Martin, L Wallace (T Reffell 58), J Wiese.
Connacht: J Porch (P Sullivan 17-30, HIA); A Wootton, S O’Brien, T Daly, M Healy; J Carty (C Fitzgerald 67), K Marmion (C Blade 50); D Buckley (J Duggan 69), D Heffernan (S Delahunt 50), F Bealham (D Roberston-McCoy 50); U Dillane, G. Thornbury (O Dowling 67); E Masterson, C Oliver (A Papali’i 56), P Boyle (c).
Ref: A Jones (Wales).
Online editors
[ad_2]