Surprise win for Connacht
League leaders Leinster suffered a 27-13 upset at the hands of Connacht in their Magners League derby on Wednesday.
By Rachel Griffiths
Last Updated: 22/04/10 11:36am
League leaders Leinster suffered a 27-13 upset at the hands of Connacht in their Magners League derby on Wednesday night.
Tries from Brian Tuohy, Michael Swift and Troy Nathan brought about the surprise victory for home side Connacht, strengthening the Irish club's chances of qualifying for the Heineken Cup for the first time.
Connacht's triumph, just their second over Leinster since 2004, lifts them out of the league basement and puts them level on 26 points with Ulster, the side they will challenge for Ireland's final Heineken qualification spot.
Favourites
Leinster looked strong favourites to win and guarantee themselves a home semi-final, especially with captain and Ireland international Brian O'Driscoll returning from a knee injury to start.
But Connacht bounced back spectacularly from Sunday's defeat to Munster to stun their visitors, with skipper John Muldoon and full-back Gavin Duffy in particular producing fine performances.
The visitors dominated the early stages but after putting up a strong resistance it was Connacht that drew the first blood, with Tuohy nipping under the posts for the opening try and Miah Nikora adding the conversion.
Nikora was then off target with a long range penalty into a slight wind, leaving the home side 7-0 up going into the break.
Jamie Heaslip and Cian Healy were brought into Leinster's line-up for the second half and the visitors won a penalty soon after the restart which Shaun Berne nudged over.
But Connacht replied with a sudden surge, triggered by a well-taken drop goal from Nikora in the 47th minute.
Second-row Swift then added the second try of the evening for Connacht, storming down the left touchline to cross over in the corner.
Nikora added the extras to put the hosts 17-3 ahead, and although Berne managed to pull back three points with another penalty, Connacht completed their hat-trick of tries soon after.
Break
An impressive run by full-back Gavin Duffy set up Nathan, who scored off a ruck in front of the posts, while replacement Ian Keatley's conversion put the home side on 24.
Leinster's much-needed break came when Johnny O'Connor, also on as a replacement, was sin-binned for playing the ball on the ground.
That was swiftly followed up by a penalty try as the home front row gave way, and a drop-kick conversion from Berne narrowed the gap to 24-13.
But the gritty hosts had the last word, with Keatley booting a penalty when Healy failed to roll away seven minutes from time, and Connacht cruised home from there to celebrate their shock victory on the final whistle.
