CONNACHT GOT THEIR Guinness Pro12 campaign off to a winning start after a try in each half sent them on their way to a 16-11 win over the Dragons at the Sportsgrounds.

Connacht started brightly and got their reward after 10 minutes when debutant winger Niyi Adeolokun offloaded to Eoin McKeon to dive over. Darragh Leader missed the conversion but five minutes later he extended his side’s lead after the Dragons were penalised for not rolling away in the tackle.

Connacht were in control at that stage but the visitors tied the game by half-time through a try from flanker Nic Rudd, which also went unconverted, and a penalty from Jason Tovey.

Man of the match Dennis Buckley won a penalty at the scrum at the start of the second half, and Leader was able to kick Connacht back into the lead. Moments later came the pivotal moment of the match, as Danie Poolman gathered a clever kick from outhalf Jack Carty to score the home team’s second try.

Jason Tovey reduced the gap to five with another penalty but Connacht held on to get their first win of the Guiness Pro12 season.

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Another day, another All Black showing why they are tougher than granite