A lot of Huff and Puff but Connacht don’t blow Scarlets away in a windy Sportsground.
That might seem like an odd way to describe a try bonus point win but Connacht lacked a clinical edge to capitalise on the amount of territory and possession they had, especially in the first half. In the opening minute Connacht made their way to the Scarlets tryline but with penalty advantage Connacht knocked on over the tryline. With the next maul Scarlets hold Connacht still and as we play across the pitch turn over possession and Scarlets clear. And only with a ragged defensive chase do Connacht find a gap for Aungier and Blade scores. That opening 10 minutes started the trend for the rest of the half, a lot of endeavour ball in hand but a clinical edge that seemed to go missing near the tryline.
De Buitléars try came from turnover ball, a wicked step from Hawkshaw for the line break after going wide to wide, and when in behind that try seemed inevitable.
The annoyance watching after that was, with all the territory we kept letting Scarlets off the hook. It took 4 minutes from a fluffed lineout 5 metres out to score try number three from a tap and go. The maul set was something that was an issue through out, eight times Conacht attempted to maul but eight times it went wrong.
First maul went nowhere.
Second gave away a penalty for double banking.
Third get the set wrong and get turned over.
Fourth get numbers in the lineout wrong and give away a free kick.
Fifth get pushed back by scarlets.
Sixth another poor set and get turned over.
Seventh get sacked but play away.
Eighth poor set but get possession back but the maul opportunity is gone.
In a game you are expected to win and possibly get a bonus point try, these were good opportunities that Connacht couldn’t capitalise on or create a platform to put further pressure on the Scarlets defence. Maybe if we did the difficulties in phase play attack would have been ironed out, but still option taking while attacking close to the tryline feels like an issue. The trigger being pulled on the ball going out feels a phase or two too late, while the forwards seem to run out of numbers at the breakdown too easily and the ball slows down at best or gets turned over. With a squad this talented and during the eighty minutes Vs Scarlets had 16 clean breaks and 28 defenders beaten, it’s those small things that build up and keep the opposition in the game.
I am not a doom and gloom merchant. A bonus point try win is nothing to be sniffed at. What is good to see, is players growing into the system.
Smith is quickly entering the discussion of a player you can’t not play, his pace is a real point of difference especially when Forde and Hawkshaw hold defences in place with their, kick, run, pass triple threat in the midfield. Not only does he have the flash attacking and finishing skills, his breakdown work and defensive reading is improving. Even though Scarlets scored down his side he was screaming for support 2 phases beforehand. He had read the Scarlets attack and knew he was numbers down. The system failed at that moment but he was aware to the issues.
Forde is game on game becoming a more complete 12 his ability to almost constantly make gainline is incredible. He had 10 successful carries this weekend, including 6 line breaks, and doesn’t seem to understand the meaning of getting stopped on or behind the gainline. Himself and Hawkshaw link up so well their skill sets really seem to complement each other.
Overall the pack went about their work well, it was great to see Thornbury back in green. Connachts lineout defence was led well by the pairing of Murray and Thornbury, as the two terrorised Scarlets ball. The scrum held up well with the sub front row earning penalties by the end of the game. Illo is going to be a special player you can tell.
Jansen varied up his game really well, some lovely tip on passes along with his strong carrying. Prendergast had some really good defensive reads throughout. Aungier and Dooley were always looking for work! Shamus Hurley-Langton has a physicality off ball which knits things together really well.
Defensively as a team Connacht were comfortable Tiernan was very good covering the backfield, he looks like a player that’s getting better with age. And Ralstin back after suspension worked his socks off.
You can’t talk about the game and not talk about the weather. It really impacted both teams but Connacht dealt with the wind better, with some smart kicking from both Blade and JJ at times. Which is something we need to see more of from whoever is on at halfback. And as a 23 Connacht had more in attack, which led to more impact when they ran the ball in comparison to Scarlets.
In the end a bonus point try was scored and earned, it was a try I would hate to see given against Connacht but one I will nervously look around and say uuummmm I’ll take it! Did that ball come off the fingertips of Buckley quite possibly but was there enough there to change the ref’s call of try scored… probably not.
Watching the game back, you’d think that management will be happy with the win. In the knowledge there are things to fix, and work ons that can keep Connacht building as the season starts to reach its conclusion. The boys in green have earned their spot in the top eight, now it’s time to stay there.
THE 2ND ROW 