CONNACHT HAD THE bonus point wrapped up by half-time as Pat Lam’s men continued their impressive start to the season.
Connacht had never lost to Zebre and that never looked like changing at the Sportsground as the Italians were blitzed.
The late withdrawal of out-half Jack Carty to injury did little to disrupt Connacht and his replacement Conor Ronaldson was one of four try scorers in the opening half.
Ronaldson took his Connacht tally past the 100 points mark with an early penalty before Matt Healy crowned his 50th appearance for the province with a try after eight minutes.
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Edoardo Padovani pulled back a penalty for a Zebre side looking for their first point of the season. But Connacht took over and Healy set up scrum-half Kieran Marmion to score for the second game in a row.
No.8 Eoin McKeon got the third try off a lineout and while New Zealander Dion Berryman pulled back a try for the Italians, Connacht wrapped up the bonus point just before when Ronaldson jinked his way over for an excellent try which he converted.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
The second-half was a much more scrappy affair, with both sides emptying their benches in the third quarter.
But Connacht continued to dominate and losehead prop Denis Buckley got their fifth try after 49 minutes following a good lineout maul.
Zebre never gave up and doubled their number of tries for the season when Johan Meyer crossed in the closing stages.
Connacht:
Tries: M Healy, E McKeon, K Marmion, C Ronaldson, D Buckley Penalty: Ronaldson Conversion: Ronaldson (3)
Zebre:
Tries: D Berryman, J Meyer Penalty: E Padovani Conversion: E Padovani
Connacht: T O’Halloran; D Poolman (D Leader 56), R Parata, B Aki, M Healy; C Ronaldson (C McKeon 72), K Marmion (J Cooney 49); D Buckley (C O’Donnell 60), T McCartney (S Delahunt 53), R Ah You (F Bealham 60); Q Roux, A Browne (A Muldowney 40); J Muldoon, N Fox-Matamua, E McKeon (E Masterson 70).
Zebre: U Beyers; D Berryman (M Visentin 40), T Boni, M Pratuchetti, K van Zyl; E Padovani (C Canna 55), L Burgess (G Palazzani 60); A Lovotti (A de Marchi 72), A Manici (T D’Apice 60), P Ceccarelli (E Coria 56); V Bernabo (M Bortolami 64), G Biagi; J Meyer, J Sarto (E Caffini 46)), A van Schalkwyk.
Connacht's impressive start to the season continued tonight despite an injury setback
Connacht 34
Zebre 15
CONNACHT HAD THE bonus point wrapped up by half-time as Pat Lam’s men continued their impressive start to the season.
Connacht had never lost to Zebre and that never looked like changing at the Sportsground as the Italians were blitzed.
The late withdrawal of out-half Jack Carty to injury did little to disrupt Connacht and his replacement Conor Ronaldson was one of four try scorers in the opening half.
Ronaldson took his Connacht tally past the 100 points mark with an early penalty before Matt Healy crowned his 50th appearance for the province with a try after eight minutes.
Edoardo Padovani pulled back a penalty for a Zebre side looking for their first point of the season. But Connacht took over and Healy set up scrum-half Kieran Marmion to score for the second game in a row.
No.8 Eoin McKeon got the third try off a lineout and while New Zealander Dion Berryman pulled back a try for the Italians, Connacht wrapped up the bonus point just before when Ronaldson jinked his way over for an excellent try which he converted.
The second-half was a much more scrappy affair, with both sides emptying their benches in the third quarter.
But Connacht continued to dominate and losehead prop Denis Buckley got their fifth try after 49 minutes following a good lineout maul.
Zebre never gave up and doubled their number of tries for the season when Johan Meyer crossed in the closing stages.
Connacht: T O’Halloran; D Poolman (D Leader 56), R Parata, B Aki, M Healy; C Ronaldson (C McKeon 72), K Marmion (J Cooney 49); D Buckley (C O’Donnell 60), T McCartney (S Delahunt 53), R Ah You (F Bealham 60); Q Roux, A Browne (A Muldowney 40); J Muldoon, N Fox-Matamua, E McKeon (E Masterson 70).
Zebre: U Beyers; D Berryman (M Visentin 40), T Boni, M Pratuchetti, K van Zyl; E Padovani (C Canna 55), L Burgess (G Palazzani 60); A Lovotti (A de Marchi 72), A Manici (T D’Apice 60), P Ceccarelli (E Coria 56); V Bernabo (M Bortolami 64), G Biagi; J Meyer, J Sarto (E Caffini 46)), A van Schalkwyk.
Referee: B Whitehouse (WRU).
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