Connacht’s Johnny on the spot to put Dragons to the sword

Apr 19 2008 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo

BASEMENT side Connacht beat Newport Gwent Dragons for the first time in the Magners League on Welsh soil as they kept their slim hopes of a Heineken Cup place alive.

The defeat dealt the Rodney Parade side a big blow in their quest to qualify automatically ahead of the Ospreys for the Heineken Cup next season.

The Irish province, eight points behind Ulster, had to win for any mathematical chance of catching Ulster above them and securing a prized Heineken place for next season.

But, by half-time, it looked like they would still be playing European Challenge Cup rugby next season as the Dragons lead 11-6.

The Irishmen did not make it easy for the Welsh region who have to play both leaders Leinster and the team above them, the Ospreys, twice before the end of the campaign.

It looked like the Dragons would beat the weakest of the Irish regions when they lead 8-0 after 20 minutes through a penalty from outside-half Ceri Sweeney and a gift of a try from a sloppy Adrian Flavin lineout throw on his own line for No.8 Michael Owen.

Yet the Dragons became sloppy themselves and allowed Connacht’s Kiwi stand-off Troy Nathan to bring his team back into the match with a couple of simple penalties.

And it was only when Connacht were caught offside 30 metres from their posts on the stroke of half-time that Sweeney booted a straight-forward penalty to increase the Dragons’ advantage.

In the second period the Dragons could not make their territorial second half advantage tell.

For all their bravery, Connacht deserved one chance of winning the match and, when they reached the Dragons line in the dying moments, flanker Johnny O’Connor took it.

He picked up from a ruck to go over to level the scores and the conversion from Andrew Dunne gave Connacht victory.