Ronaldson kicks Connacht Rugby to win

Craig Ronaldson kicked three penalties as Connacht Rugby defeated Treviso 9-6 in the Guinness Pro 12 last Friday night.

The numbers on the scoreboard at full time were almost irrelevant in Treviso. A simple letter ‘W’ beside Connacht and ‘L’ beside Treviso would have sufficed. In boxing parlance, this was a 13 round professional bout, the only thing it lacked for was referee David Wilkinson standing on half way at the end holding both captains by the wrist, ready to declare a winner by lifting one arm in the air.

Connacht won on count back at the atmospheric Stadio Monigo. They slugged it out and went the distance. Landing punches and taking punches. Falling back onto the ropes before fighting back into the centre and repeating this dance over and over again during the course of a game that felt 100 minutes long.

It was compelling for its raw intensity alone, you had to have a vested interest for sure, to everyone else, this was very much in the dour category but for those involved with Treviso and Connacht this was a huge juncture in their respective seasons.

The home side had to win after a nightmare few months, the visitors had to win if all the hard work that had gone before was to be filed under ‘credible progress’. No one cared by what means.

On the face of it, here was a Connacht side stumbling to victory against the league’s worst team who had zero points coming into the contest but in reality, Treviso’s plight needs more context. They are an improving force and had this as their most significant target of the entire season so far. So it is hugely encouraging that Pat Lam’s ever evolving young squad figured it all out in the end.

Standing outside the Connacht dressing room after the game, it was clear that a pressure was now lifted, the first phase was done, Europe will offer a chance to breathe and enjoy their rugby again.

It doesn’t herald great things again but it is a piece of a jigsaw that slots into a picture which we can’t quite make out yet but we are starting to feel it might just be a little special.

Beyond all that, the pugilist’s story is invariably one of either win or bust and the spoils went to the Westerners here, one defeat in six, 18 points and fifth in the Pro12 table with a whole lot to work on.