Connacht 33
Treviso 19
Cian O’Connell reports from The Sportsground
CRAIG RONALDOSN KICKED 18 points as Connacht claimed a sixth win in seven games to go top of the Guinness Pro12 table.
It was a hard-earned home success for Connacht, who received a stern examination early on from a gritty Treviso outfit.
Three opening-period Craig Ronaldson penalties ensured Connacht departed at the break armed with a 9-5 advantage, as a plucky Treviso caused the home team problems.
Ronaldson slotted two penalties before Treviso pounced for a splendid 27th-minute try which put Connacht under pressure. A smart break from Andrea Pratichetti crafted space for full-back Jayden Hayward, who scampered clear to touch down.
Hayward missed the subsequent conversion as Treviso were proving to be awkward opponents, while Ronaldson’s 37th-minute penalty was the last score of the first-half.
Three minutes after the restart, Irish international Robbie Henshaw marked his return to Connacht action with a smashing try which was expertly converted by Ronaldson.
Treviso continued to be defiant, though, as Hayward skipped through under the posts for a 48th-minute try as the deficit was trimmed to 16-12.
Connacht responded as a clever line-out involving skipper John Muldoon culminated with a gorgeous try by replacement hooker Tom McCartney, with Ronaldson adding the extras.
USA international AJ MacGinty made his debut as a replacement for Connacht, who edged further ahead in the closing stages as Ronaldson nailed a penalty.
That score was followed by a 76th-minute Matt Healy try, with Ronaldson clipping the conversion from an acute angle.
Connacht went furiously searching for a bonus point, but Treviso replacement Edoardo Gori grabbed a last-gasp consolation try for the visitors.
Scorers for Connacht: Robbie Henshaw try; Tom McCartney try; Matt Healy try; Craig Ronaldson 4 penalties, 3 conversions.
Scorers for Treviso: Jayden Hayward 2 tries; 2 conversions; Edoardo Gori try.
Connacht
15. Robbie Henshaw
14. Tiernan O’Halloran
13. Bundee Aki
12. Craig Ronaldson
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. John Cooney
1. Denis Buckley
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Nathan White
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Andrew Browne
6. John Muldoon
7. Nepia Fox-Matamua
8 Eoin McKeon
Replacements:
18. Finlay Bealham for White (33 mins)
21. Kieran Marmion for Cooney (38 mins)
16. Tom McCartney for Heffernan (51 mins)
2. Dave Heffernan for McCartney (53 mins)
19. Aly Muldowney for Dillane (56 mins)
20. Eoghan Masteron for Fox-Matamua (62 mins)
22. AJ MacGinty for Carty (64 mins)
23. Darragh Leader for O’Halloran (73 mins)
17. Conan O’Donnell for Buckley (74 mins)
Treviso
15. Jayden Hayward
14. Andrea Pratichetti
13. Tommaso Iannone
12. Enrico Bacchin
11. Simone Ragusi
10. Luke McClean
9. Alberto Lucchese
1. Matteo Zanusso
2. Luca Bigi
3. Simone Ferrari
4. Filo Paulo
5. Jean Francois Montauriol
6. Marco Barbini
7. Alessandro Zanni
8. Jurgens Steyn
Replacements:
22. Edoardo Gori for Luchesse (38 mins)
19. Serge Budd for Zanni (44 mins)
16. Davide Giazzon for Bigi (46 mins)
20. Marco Lazzaroni for Barbini (61 mins)
17. Matteo Muccignat for Zanusso (65 mins)
23. Sam Christie for Bacchin (68 mins)
21. Andrea De Marchi for Paulo (79 mins)
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
Longfords to lose without a doubt
I was wondering why they weren’t on the list…..
In all fairness are you that stuck for articles that you’ve to put up this poll.
Maybe if Australia and Azerbaijan could enter the dubs might be challenged.
The only things less anticipated are the Ulster and Connacht Hurling Chanpionships
Is this a joke
Yes, enjoy it.
This must be the most ridiculous poll ever! Why not set one up for the colour of the sky!
The colour comes from sunlight that has been scattered by the air. There’s also red sunlight but not in a high enough concentration to do anything to effect the colour.
I thought it was to do with light passing through nitrogen.
cant wait for RTE’s live coverage of Dublins Leinster Quarter Final, should be worth the license fee.
MON LOUTH!!
Silly poll
Everyone knows the DUBS are the masters
~32% of the country are delusional, and I’m a non-Dublin Leinster man.
I wouldn’t say delusional , I clicked on laois for the craic !
Slow news day, lads??
The fact that bookmakers are only taking bets for ‘Leinster without Dublin’ says it all.
Highly Anticipated my arse .
I am surprised it is only 69%
You can treat 30% as ‘spoiled votes’ made up Dubs voting for other counties for a laugh and a hardcore who will only vote for their county.
That would leave about 1% who actually believe another county will win so the poll should be showing about 99% for Dublin
Meath for Leinster, Meath for Sam. Hon d’Kaypak.
You must be bloody joking Stephen, Lord lamb a jaysus this is a crazy statement to make?? Hoh? Are ya mad??
Sure jaysus Meath are diobolical at the minute, hoh? Ya feckin lug ya
Pointless pole.
Dublin is 68% it shows people just vote for their counties
Stupid question