By LDTT
December 9 2006

Andrew Farley lead his charges to a bonus point win over french side Montpellier in Galway on Friday night. Despite a strong performance from the French side, Connacht we always in control and duely delivered a deserved win. Things started brightly for Connacht as within 3 minutes, they had a ppenalty inside the Montpellier 22. Opting to kick for the posts in fairly high winds was a mistake though as David Slemens effort just drifted wide. This wasn't the case on 20 minutes as Connacht kicked to the corner, securing the lineout and with hooker Adrian Flavin crashing over from the subsequent maul. Slemen converted to make it 7-0 to the home team.

This was to prove the start of a bad 10 minute period for Montpellier as outhalf Francois Trinh Duc was given a yellow card on 25 minutes for a spear tackle on Gavin Williams. From the stand it may have looked like a harsh call, the tackle was more clumsy than malicious. Regardless, Connacht made full use of their numerical advantage taking a lineout in the corner, and drove Adrian Flavin over for his second of the night.

With Matt Mostyn announcing the score by "the Try Machine", Slemen missed the conversion to the left as he was nearly charged down. The miss hardly mattered though. Montpellier reverted to 8 man rugby. Without an out half, the french side worked their way up the field going through the phases at the edges of the rucks. And when the ball was turned over on the Connacht 22, Paul Warwick darted his way through a number of Montpellier tackles. As he raced into the visitors half, he had support on his shoulder and he released Danny Riordan for the fullback to touch down under the posts.

Slemen added the extras to put Connacht 19 points ahead. Montpellier seemed to have pressed the self-destruct button. As Trinh Duc came back onto the field, there was little hope for the French side, but by half time they had secured two penalties and had given themselves a lifeline. Regis Lespinas kicked both to leave the sides at 19-6 at half time.

Second half started with a bang. Unfortunately, where Connacht had roared into control in the first half, Montpellier scored a try on 42 minutes, with Trinh Duc touching down under the posts. The extras left the french just 6 points down at 19-13. With their lead withered away, Connacht crowd were scratching their heads wondering how this happened. Connacht have had a great defence this season and that was the last score Montpellier had all night.

On 60 minutes, Mark McHugh and Chris Keane came on for David Slemen and Conor O'Loughlin. O'Loughlin can be very pleased with his game. He was distributing quick ball and making some fantastic breaks. Another crowd favourite Ted Robinson, had a good game as well. Taking the ball on, accelerating into contact, and covering defensively beating the Montpellier speedsters to touchdowns on two occasions.

Barely a minute after coming on the field, the new halfback combination had combined to send Gavin Williams through a gap in the french defence. With McHugh adding the extras Connacht ran out comfortable winners, and with a bonus point in the bargin too.

Before the end John Hearty replaced the injured Warwick, Colm Rigney came on for man of the match Michael Swift and Brett Sturgess replaced Knoop. The south african had an good game, and it's good to see him back in action.

And while Connacht won with a bonus point, it's difficult to see them pulling a result out next week in the return fixture. While they can compete, I walked away from the Sportsground thinking that there just something missing. Andrew Farley, Ray Ofisa, Gannon & Muldoon had massive games. They consistently impress and it's not that I can list players who aren't performing... it's just that as Connacht face into a really tough period over the holidays, I won't realisticly expect a huge return in terms of points. Why? well I think there is still something missing.

Connacht: Daniel Riordan; Keith Matthews, Paul Warwick, Gavin Williams, Ted Robinson; David Slemen, Conor O'Loughlin; Brett Wilkinson, Adrian Flavin, Stephen Knoop, David Gannon, Andrew Farley (capt), Michael Swift, Ray Ofisa, John Muldoon.
Replacements used: Mark McHugh for Slemen, Chris Keane for O'Loughlin (both 60 mins), John Hearty for Warwick (67), Colm Rigney for Swift (70), Brett Sturgess for Knoop (80+2).

Man of the Match: Michael Swift
Stadium Announcer: Matt Mostyn
Attendance: 1,032