CONNACHT HEAD COACH Kieran Keane recorded his first victory in the job as his side scored four tries to see off Pat Lam’s Bristol in front of a crowd of 3,800 at the Sportsgrounds yesterday.
The sides went into the break level after tries from Peter McCabe and David Lemi but the western province took control of the contest thereafter with Kieran Marmion and new signing Rory Scholes crossing, while referee George Clancy also awarded Connacht a penalty try.
It meant a losing return to Galway for former head coach Lam as Connacht inflicted a fourth defeat of pre-season on the English Championship club.
McCabe got Keane’s men off to the perfect start as he crashed over after just two minutes but the visitors were quickly back on level terms as winger Lemi capitalised on confusion in the Connacht rearguard to cross in a frenetic first 40.
Advertisement
Pat Lam returned to Galway yesterday. Tommy Grealy / INPHO
Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO
It remained 7-7 at the interval before Connacht regained the lead almost straight after the restart as Marmion found the gap at the bottom of the ruck to dot down.
A penalty try extended Connacht’s lead, only for Bristol to come roaring back through Mat Protheroe’s stunning individual score.
But new arrival Scholes scored his second try in as many games to ensure victory for the home side.
Connacht begin their Guinness Pro14 campaign against Glasgow in Galway next Saturday.
CONNACHT: 15. Darragh Leader; 14. Cian Kelleher, 13. Eoin Griffin, 12. Craig Ronaldson, 11. Matt Healy; 10. Jack Carty, 9. Kieran Marmion; 1. Dan McCabe, 2. Tom McCartney, 3. Finlay Bealham, 4. Ultan Dillane, 5. Andrew Browne, 6. Eoghan Masterson, 7. Jarrad Butler, 8. John Muldoon (captain).
BRISTOL: 15. Jordan Williams; 14. David Lemi, 13. Will Hurrell, 12. Tusi Pisi, 11. Tom Varndell; 10. Ian Madigan, 9. Rhodri Williams; 1. Soane Tonga’uiha, 2. Jason Harris-Wright, 3. Sione Faletau, 4. Joe Batley, 5. Joe Joyce, 6. Sam Jeffries (captain), 7. Dan Thomas, 8. Nick Haining.
Replacements: Max Crumpton, Jack Cosgrove, Tyler Gendall, Joe Latta, Steven Luatua, Jack Lam, Jordan Crane, Reiss Cullen, Billy Searle, Jack Tovey, Sam Bedlow, Luke Morahan, Mat Protheroe.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
12 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Keane's tenure up and running as Connacht see off Pat Lam's Bristol
Connacht 24
Bristol 14
CONNACHT HEAD COACH Kieran Keane recorded his first victory in the job as his side scored four tries to see off Pat Lam’s Bristol in front of a crowd of 3,800 at the Sportsgrounds yesterday.
The sides went into the break level after tries from Peter McCabe and David Lemi but the western province took control of the contest thereafter with Kieran Marmion and new signing Rory Scholes crossing, while referee George Clancy also awarded Connacht a penalty try.
It meant a losing return to Galway for former head coach Lam as Connacht inflicted a fourth defeat of pre-season on the English Championship club.
McCabe got Keane’s men off to the perfect start as he crashed over after just two minutes but the visitors were quickly back on level terms as winger Lemi capitalised on confusion in the Connacht rearguard to cross in a frenetic first 40.
It remained 7-7 at the interval before Connacht regained the lead almost straight after the restart as Marmion found the gap at the bottom of the ruck to dot down.
A penalty try extended Connacht’s lead, only for Bristol to come roaring back through Mat Protheroe’s stunning individual score.
But new arrival Scholes scored his second try in as many games to ensure victory for the home side.
Connacht begin their Guinness Pro14 campaign against Glasgow in Galway next Saturday.
CONNACHT: 15. Darragh Leader; 14. Cian Kelleher, 13. Eoin Griffin, 12. Craig Ronaldson, 11. Matt Healy; 10. Jack Carty, 9. Kieran Marmion; 1. Dan McCabe, 2. Tom McCartney, 3. Finlay Bealham, 4. Ultan Dillane, 5. Andrew Browne, 6. Eoghan Masterson, 7. Jarrad Butler, 8. John Muldoon (captain).
Replacements: Shane Delahunt, JP Cooney, Conor Carey, James Cannon, Eoin McKeon, Conor McKeon, Steve Crosbie, Bundee Aki, Stacey Ili, Rory Scholes.
BRISTOL: 15. Jordan Williams; 14. David Lemi, 13. Will Hurrell, 12. Tusi Pisi, 11. Tom Varndell; 10. Ian Madigan, 9. Rhodri Williams; 1. Soane Tonga’uiha, 2. Jason Harris-Wright, 3. Sione Faletau, 4. Joe Batley, 5. Joe Joyce, 6. Sam Jeffries (captain), 7. Dan Thomas, 8. Nick Haining.
Replacements: Max Crumpton, Jack Cosgrove, Tyler Gendall, Joe Latta, Steven Luatua, Jack Lam, Jordan Crane, Reiss Cullen, Billy Searle, Jack Tovey, Sam Bedlow, Luke Morahan, Mat Protheroe.
Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:
Hansen defends All Blacks lock Retallick after Cheika outburst
Breathtaking 20 minutes with 5 tries helps Black Ferns reclaim World Cup from England
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Connacht Friendly Kieran Keane pat lam Pre-Season