Matt Sherratt’s Cardiff Rugby side will have to wait for other results as their hopes of reaching the last 16 are in danger. This comes as The Westerners score four times to secure a 28-19 victory at the Cardiff Arms Park.
Tries from Josh Murphy, Joe Joyce, Byron Ralston and Matthew Devine saw The Westerners win Pool 1 with maximum points. This win ensures Pete Wilkins men will have a home round of 16 tie in early April.
Cardiff began proceedings at the Arms Park on the front foot with some good early attack on the visitors defence but it was the visitors who broke the deadlock. This came on the 13-minute mark as after, Aki brilliantly delayed his pass to Murphy which allowed the second row to cross the whitewash.
The Blue and Blacks however, did respond according as moments later hooker, Evan Lloyd crossed. With the penalty advantage the hosts applied pressure to the visitors defence and after a pick up from the breakdown, Lloyd powered over. Captain, Ben Thomas added the extras to bring proceedings back level at the end of the first quarter.
It was the visitors that ended the first half the better as Joyce stretched over to score the Irish Province sides second of the evening. This was because of continuous pressure on the hosts defence which allowed the second row to cross the whitewash.
HT: Cardiff 7-14 Connacht
It wasn’t the best of starts to the second half for, Peter Wilkins side as after just one minute they were reduced to 14-men. Openside, Conor Oliver was awarded a yellow card after a deliberate knock on. Then with the numerical advantage the hosts quickly got their second of the encounter. This came from Thomas Young who carved his way through the visitors defence to score on 42 minutes.
Outside half, Josh Ioane then had the opportunity to add to the visitors lead on 51 minutes but had his shot deflect off the left upright. However, after showcasing some brilliant handling skills to get the ball out to winger, Ralston who expertly crossed in the corner.
Young then with a moment of brilliance scored his brace minutes later which reduced the deficit to just two points going into the final quarter. This came after an initial kick in behind by the openside which played into the hands of scrum half, Ellis Bevan who then offloaded for him to score.
The visitors had the last laugh of the encounter as on 65 minutes they secured their try bonus point. This came from captain, Cian Prendergast who offloaded back on the inside for Devine to crossover which secured the Irish side top spot in Pool 1.
For the Blue and Blacks they are hoping that both Toyota Cheetahs and Perpignan do not overtake them come Saturday or Sunday. This is because a draw or two losing bonus points for both Cheetahs and Perpignan will be enough to lift them above Cardiff and end their European hopes for this season.
FT: Cardiff 19-28 Connacht
Lineups:
Cardiff: Jacob Beetham; Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Rey Lee-Lo, Rory Jennings, Tom Bowen; Ben Thomas (capt), Ellis Bevan; Rhys Barratt, Evan Lloyd, Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Thomas Young, Alun Lawrence.
Replacements: Efan Daniel, Danny Southworth, Rhys Litterick, Rory Thornton, Seb Davies, Johan Mulder, Callum Sheedy, Cameron Winnett.
Connacht: Santiago Cordero; Chay Mullins, Piers O’Conor, Bundee Aki, Byron Ralston; Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Josh Murphy, Joe Joyce, Cian Prendergast (capt), Conor Oliver, Paul Boyle.
Replacements: Eoin de Buitlear, Jordan Duggan, Jack Aungier, David O’Connor, Sean Jansen, Matthew Devine, JJ Hanrahan, David Hawkshaw.
Referee: Morne Ferreira (SARU)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron & Griffin Colby (SARU)
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