| Mark McHugh finished off a sweeping move for the first try, converted by David Slemen, before a well-executed lineout and maul was touched down by Chris Venter on his debut for the province, once again Slemen obliged with the conversion.
David Slemen¹s third successful kick of the half, from a penalty, stretched the lead further before a good spell of pressure from Parma yielded a penalty try after a five meter scrum collapsed.
The game offered an opportunity for many of Connacht¹s rising young stars to begin what is hoped to be promising Sportsground careers, especially among the forwards.
Ballina native Philip Rowe started at number 8, competing very well throughout, David Gannon stood firm in the second row and new signing Venter capped an accomplished display with a first try.
After half time Galway natives Joe Merrigan and Ronan Loughney joined the fray and both had to work hard in the closing stages to help Connacht secure the win. Last to come on was Leitrim¹s Trevor Richardson and he secured possession well from a Parma lineout on the final play to rubber stamp the victory.
In the backline, one of the four Irish under 21 world cup players, Corinthians¹ Daniel Riordan, preformed well throughout and he was joined in the backline by new signing Keith Mathews, mid way through the second half.
There will be a lot to ponder from this opening season display and considering it was their first outing, plenty of positives to take. Leicester Tigers are next up this Friday at (6:30pm) and Connacht are already on the front foot.
Connacht: Matt Mostyn, Conor McPhillips, Paul Warwick, Mark McHugh, Daniel Riordan, David Slemen, Tom Tierney; Dan McFarland, Christopher Venter, Adrian Clarke, Dave Gannon, Christian Short, Michael Swift, Brendan O¹Connor, Philip Rowe.
Replacement USED: Joe Merrigan, Roan Loughney, Ray Hogan, Andrew Gallagher, John Muldoon, Trevor Richardson, Keith Mathews,
Overmach PARMA: 15. Ezio Galon, 14. Nicola Mazzucato, 13. Paul Emerick, 12. Albert Tuipulotu, 11. Giovanni Ghidini, 10. Alejandro Canale; 9. Jose Pellicena; 1. German Fontana, 2. Sebastien Busatto, 3. Marco Coletti, 4. Alessandro Giacon, 5. Luke Tait, 6. Liviu Pascu, 7. Pablo Sciarretta, 8. Manoa Vosawai.
Replacements: Sergio Cortesi, Michael Barbieri, Robert Barbieri, Tommaso Besio, Juan Martin Soffredini, Fabio Staibano, Federico Minello, Gianmario Mori, Andrea Orsi, Bruno Pani, Fabio Gumiero, Bruno Masetti, Francesco Mazzariol, Michele Garulli, Marco Frati, Alessandro Chillon,
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