Connacht'S Good Run Continues

Connacht 42 - 19 The Borders Sportsground   Att: 2,000 Referee: David R. Davies Saturday 11th October 2003, 14:30

Connacht continue to impress in Celtic competition with a comfortable win over the Borders at the Sportsground.

This is the fourth win on the bounce for Michael Bradley’s men,they have now won three from four in the Celtic League and they picked up their first bonus point of the campaign into the bargain with a five-try haul. The Irish provincial outfit easily pushed aside the challenge of a Borders side they had already defeated away from home in the Celtic Cup. The home side led 24-14 at the interval, having built a 14-0 lead after eleven minutes. Matt Mostyn and Paul Neville both crossed for good tries, both of which were converted by Eric Elwood. The Borders hit back after 22 minutes with a try by Scottish international Kevin Utterson and they stayed in touch with a second try from Andy Rennick nine minutes from the break. By then Elwood had added a penalty for Connacht and they went in at the break with a ten points cushion after hooker John Fogarty got in for his second try of the campaign. Flanker Tom Carter secured a first bonus point of the campaign for Connacht with a try three minutes after the restart, with Elwood again adding the conversion and then following with a penalty. Mark McHugh, narrowly off range with two massive drop goals from inside his own half in the first period, landed a penalty after 56 minutes to push Connacht 37-14 in front. The Borders full-back Gareth Morton hit back with a try as they came in search of a bonus point but it was Connacht who had the final say when Andrew Farley crossed for his side’s fifth try. Connacht are currently in third spot in the League, Borders, with just one win form their four matches, sit in eleventh.

Connacht V The Borders   P D C T Pos Player Player Pos T C D P   1 Mark McHugh 15 Gareth Morton 1 2 1 Matt Mostyn 14 Craig Moir Darren Yapp 13 Jono Stuart Shane Moore 12 Kevin Utterson 1 Wayne Munn 11 Cameron Murray 2 4 Eric Elwood 10 Clark Laidlaw Mike Walls 9 Gary Armstrong Ray Hogan 1 ;Kelvin Todd 1 John Fogarty 2 Steve Scott Fabien Boiroux 3 Craig Dunlea Damien Browne 4 Scott Macleod 1 Andrew Farley 5 Colin Stewart 1 Paul Neville 6 Andy Rennick 1 1 Thomas Carter 7 Daniel Kane John O'Sullivan 8 Campbell Feather Replacements Bernard Jackman 16 Matthew Landells Adrian Clarke 17 Geoff Cross Mike McCarthy 18 Doddie Weir John Muldoon 19 Tony Walker Conor O'Loughlin 20 Chris Cusiter Dave Hewitt 21 Iain Fairley Ted Robinson 22 Calum MacRae Penalty Tries 0 0

All Pictures: ©  http://www.inpho.ie/, Huw Evans Agency,  Martin Stuart