Fast-starting Connacht achieve their first away league win over Cardiff Blues in a dozen years

Date Published: 25-Feb-2013

Cardiff 22

Connacht 26

ALL of a sudden, a strong finish to the season could be a realistic possibility for Connacht after they secured a second win on the bounce in the RaboDirect Pro12 with a first success in Cardiff since 2001 last Friday night.

Back-to-back victories are rare for the Westerners as their last ‘double; came in April of last year and few gave them hope in the Welsh capital. After all, this is a venue where they have rarely even managed to garner a losing bonus point since Eric Elwood’s two kicks gave them a famous win in their first ever away Celtic League game.

However Cardiff were 12 points down by the sixth minute as Dannie Poolman and Willie Faloon caught them cold with Nikora adding a conversion and while the Blues fought their way back into the contest – even taking the lead during the second half – ultimately Connacht had enough to pull clear in the closing stages and defend a late onslaught on their line.

The defence in those last few minutes was heroic with the experienced trio of Gavin Duffy, John Muldoon and Michael Swift all to the fore. First year signing Willie Faloon is back from injury and was inspired throughout, scoring two tries to put them in position for this unexpected win.

The pre-match build up was hardly ideal. Dan Parks was a late withdrawal with Miah Nikora called up for a rare start at ten from where he would kick 11 points in a fine effort. Robbie Henshaw was on Irish under 21 duty while Kyle Tonetti, Dave McSharry, Johnny O’Connor, Michael McCarthy and George Naoupu were all on the injured list.

Eric Elwood kicked the six points on that famous win 12 years ago and he will be delighted with his side’s upsurge in form, despite the injury setbacks, as they look to finish out his tenure with a strong showing.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.