Connacht 24
Exeter Chiefs 33
A TERRIFIC FIRST-HALF display of incisive attacking rugby ultimately yielded nothing but plaudits and a point as Connacht were overpowered by the Pool 2 leaders in the Challenge Cup.
Connacht set their stall out from the beginning, with a focus on creating lightning quick ruck ball for Marmion to keep the tempo high.
That gameplan paid off within six minutes as an overlap was perfectly executed and Matt Healy raced in to the corner.
Robbie Henshaw was at the heart of that sweeping move and everything else good about Connacht. With Joe Schmidt and the Sky cameras in Galway, the young centre continues to show he has an appetite for big games and big occasions.
However, the story of how the game would be won was told in its second score. A sustained bout of pressure from the Chiefs turned in to a sustained series of scrums. Each time Connacht were penalised, the Chiefs front row begged for more and on 19 minutes their complete dominance was awarded with a penalty try.
In typical Connacht fashion however, they refused to dwell on their shortcoming and the pack set out to show off their own set-piece accuracy. The maul may have needed a few extra bodies to get over the line, from George Naoupu back, the bodies were in good positions and Willie Faloon grounded his side’s second try to edge them back into the lead.
Jack Carty, a late replacement for Craig Ronaldson in the starting line-up, was off target with both conversions meaning Henry Slade was soon able to erase the deficit once more.
The respective powers of each side were encapsulated in a magnificent moment before half-time. Exeter came close to driving the green pack off their own ball, but Naoupu controlled the pill well and unleashed Marmion and Healy down the left.
Again, Marmion displayed his first class service kick-starting another fluid move from left to right with Carty passing long to Henshaw. And when McSharry gave Mils Muliaina away on a two on one with Danie Poolman outside, it was only a matter of when he unleashed the pass to allow the South African score.
Carty followed it up with an excellent conversion to give the Sportsground a 17 – 10 half-time lead to cheer about, but that was as good as it got for Connacht.
The game turned shortly after the break when Lam’s backline attempted one looping pass too many and the long arms of Dean Mumm intercepted and took it to the house. 17 – 20, the worst possible start to the half for Connacht.
From then on, it was a matter of turning the screw for the Chiefs and they gradually ground down the western resistance, culminating with Don Armand bundling over the line from close range in the 62nd minute.
Fearing the worst
Slade extended the lead to 17 – 33 five minutes later, and Connacht fans must have feared the worst with defensive holes beginning to open up with greater frequency.
Instead, it was Connacht who claimed the last score of the game. Their intensity rekindled by Robbie Henshaw insisting on attacking from deep and following up that burst with a terrific take on the full as the Chiefs attempted to clear their lines.
That catch and carry stretched the Chiefs defence an opened up space for a second try from Matt Healy.
A bonus point secured with with five minutes to go, but the hosts were unable to muster another score to put them within range for a losing bonus point.
The victory for Exeter means the Premiership side have sealed qualification for the quarter-finals. Connacht are still in contention to join them, but it is now out of their hands ahead of the final group fixture away to La Rochelle.
