IT ENDED in a familiar welter of September excitement for Connacht, who summoned a plucky and productive performance to claim a merited victory.
A lively contest was decided during a fast and furious five-minute passage in the second period when Dragons had two players sin-binned and Connacht accepted the invitation to glean the spoils.
In 10 of the last 13 campaigns Connacht had posted opening weekend wins so Pat Lam’s charges were keen to make a positive early statement again. Dragons arrived in the west with a hardened team boosted by the significant capture of Lee Byrne.
Surprisingly, though, it was edgy and error strewn initially even if Connacht safely gathered a couple of early lineouts. It enabled Connacht to make some yardage, but Darragh Leader was unfortunate a fifth-minute penalty struck the post as Dragons survived a scare.
Being rugged and resourceful on home turf is what Connacht traditionally pride themselves on and the first quarter provided encouragement. Jake Heenan was grafting with typical determination, while the youthful enthusiasm of the youngsters flared too as Connacht scorched over for a gorgeous 10th-minute try.
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The score owed much to the splendid handling of full-back Shane Layden, who started the move with a clever burst. Connacht flicked the ball swiftly across the paddock with Niyi Adeolokun releasing the willing Eoin McKeon to score.
Captain John Muldoon made a brave decision in the 16th minute when electing to go for the posts from 42 yards. It was a considerable distance, but Leader’s right-footed contact was immaculate as Connacht’s advantage increased to eight points.
Dragons missed a penalty on 21 minutes when Jason Tovey’s attempt drifted wide, but a miscalculated Connacht lineout was ruthlessly punished moments later. Dragons pounced on Connacht’s mistake with flanker Nic Cudd touching down in the corner. Tovey’s conversion went wide, but the Dragons fly-half did nick a penalty on the half-hour mark.
Tovey’s effort followed a yellow card for Connacht centre Dave McSharry as the now under-pressure Westerners were forced to play the last 10 minutes of a gruelling half with 14 men.
After the restart Dragons’ Byrne was binned for a high tackle on Jack Carty. Denis Buckley earned a penalty after a powerful scrum which Leader put over for a 11-8 lead. Dragons had Tyler Morgan yellow-carded too and Connacht’s Danie Poolman was rewarded when Carty found him with another inviting cross-field kick. Poolman caught and grounded the ball as Connacht’s lead stretched to 16-8.
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Sensing victory against fancied opponents, the Connacht pack bravely continued to put their bodies on the line. Buckley was abrasive, while hooker Dave Heffernan left to a great ovation.
Dragons stayed in contention when a 76th-minute Tovey penalty trimmed the deficit to five. The dying embers proved to be more a test of Connacht’s character than their class. Steely minds were required, especially when Dragons punted one last penalty to touch with seconds left. But Connacht weren’t going to be denied.
Star man: Denis Buckley (Connacht)
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Scorers: Connacht: Tries: McKeon 10, Poolman 55 Pens: Leader (2)
Dragons: Tries: Cudd 24 Pen: Tovey (2)
Referee: M Mitrea Attendance: 4,213
Connacht: S Layden; N Adeolokun, D Leader (C Finn, 66), D McSharry, D Poolman, J Carty (M Nikora, 66), I Porter (K Marmion, 53); D Buckley, D Heffernan (S Henry, 74), N White (R Ah You, 61), M Kearney, Q Roux, J Muldoon (W Faloon, 56), J Heenan (F Bealham, 79), E McKeon (G Naoupu, 41).
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Dragons: L Byrne; T Prydie, T Morgan, J Dixon (B Nightingale, 79), A Brew, J Tovey (G Jones, 79), J Evans (D Jones, 79); B Stankovich (O Evans, 74), E Dee (T Rhys Thomas, 61), L Fairbrother (D Way, 63), A Coombs (I Gough, 58), R Landman, L Evans, N Cudd, A Powell (T Faletau, 56)