PAUL O’DONOHOE’S 79th minute try handed Connacht a share of the spoils in this weekend’s only RaboDirect Pro12 fixture in Treviso.
Eric Elwood’s second last game in charge of his province began brightly, with Fetu’u Vainikolo’s beautifully-taken 18th minute score proving the difference as the visitors carried a 10-3 lead into half time.
After the break, however, the hosts pack ramped up the pressure and Connacht were forced into defending for long portions of the game. Alberto Di Bernardo landed the second of his three penalties to narrow the gap before Edoardo Gori’s try helped Treviso into a 13-10 lead after 48 minutes.
Dan Parks and Di Bernardo began trading penalties and the game would tie up at 13-13 and 16-6 before the Italian pack was finally rewarded for dominance in the scrum with a penalty try eight minutes from time.
YouTube credit: RaboDirectPRO12
At that point, all looked lost for the western province, but they would refuse to settle for a single point when two were still on the table.
O’Donohoe’s try, converted by Parks sealed the points needed for Connacht to pull themselves up to eighth in the league, edging out Cardiff Blues on points difference.
