Control key as Connacht bring big guns to Benetton
The western province are riding high in Conference B and ought to have plenty in reserve in Treviso. By Sean Farrell Friday 26 Feb 2021, 7:00 AM Feb 26th 2021, 7:00 AM 3,342 Views 1 Comment
Image: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
THERE’S NO NEED to go making this interesting.
Benetton Rugby will kick off this evening’s Pro14 meeting against Connacht (kick-off 17.30, TG4) without a win to their name.
Connacht arrived in Italy last night with every right to feel they can still challenge Munster for top spot in Conference B. Yet the western province will be wary of opening up their stride too much lest this potential banana skin force them to look downward rather than up.
Bundee Aki s last minute try seals victory for Connacht in Treviso
Connacht beat Benetton Treviso 19-17 to keep the pressure on Munster in Conference B. By Garry Doyle Friday 26 Feb 2021, 7:42 PM Feb 26th 2021, 7:42 PM 12,867 Views 14 Comments
Bundee Aki is tackled by Luca Morisi.
Image: Elena Barbini/INPHO
Image: Elena Barbini/INPHO
Connacht 19
THEY ROLLED THE dice and their numbers didn’t come up. Then out of nowhere, the dealer gave them another try.
Two minutes were left on the clock. They were that close to a sickening defeat. Yet Connacht turned down a second chance to take a shot at goal that would have earned them a draw.
The Westerners trailed their fellow Irish province by nine points heading to Italy, with Munster playing Cardiff Blues later on Friday before a meeting with Connacht at Thomond Park next weekend.
Andy Friend s side owed much of their struggle in Treviso to a costly Shane Delahunt sin-binning late in the first half for a dangerous tackle on Jayden Hayward.
Connacht led 7-0 at the time thanks to Finlay Bealham s early try, but - with the visitors down to 14 men - Benetton moved in front before half-time through converted tries from Davide Ruggeri and Leonardo Sarto.
Paddy McAllister touched down to level up the scoreline once more early in the second half but it was Benetton who kicked on from that point.
FLANKER Jac Morgan marked his return from a knee injury with a man-of-the-match display as Scarlets returned to winning ways with a six-try 41-17 triumph over Benetton at Parc y Scarlets. The 21-year-old from Brynamman, a former Amman United youth player, crossed for two tries in a dominant first-half performance, as Scarlets made a welcome return to winning ways. Scarlets had the try bonus point in the bag before half-time with half-backs Sam Costelow and Dane Blacker also crossing the whitewash, but Benetton did show some fight after the break. Late tries by Sione Kalamafoni and replacement Paul Asquith, however, completed the Italian Job, with this welcome Pro 14 win keeping European Champions Cup qualification hopes alive.