In a thrilling final EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 games, flanker Cian Prendergast settled the score in Connacht Rugby’s favour, as they ran out 40-30 winners over Section Paloise.
Both teams traded scores throughout the match, but Prendergast’s second at the end of the game secured the win for the Irish province after 80 minutes of hard fighting from both teams.
Connacht Rugby had to do it the hard way, trailing 20-12 at the break to their hosts who were good value for the lead.
Centre Bundee Aki was rightly awarded the player of the match berth for his efforts in leading his team to victory, on his birthday to boot.
It was his try which gave Connacht Rugby the lead with 15 minutes to go, Prendergast’s second try sealing it in the closing moments.
Dave Heffernan, Shayne Bolton and Caolin Blade also got on the scoresheet for the Irish province.
In total there were nine tries at the Stade du Hameau, three for the hosts and six for the visitors, but two penalties, three conversions and a drop goal from fly-half Joe Simmonds meant it was the TOP14 club who looked set for a quarter-final spot for much of the game.
Their three tries came courtesy of a Sacha Zegueur first-half brace and a second-half score from Ziggy Fisi'ihoi but it proved not to be enough.
Connacht Rugby will now play Benetton Rugby away from home next weekend in the EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final stage.
Scorers:
Section Paloise: Tries: Sacha Zegueur (2), Ziggy Fisi'ihoi. Conversions: Joe Simmonds (3). Penalties: Joe Simmonds (2).
Connacht: Tries: Dave Heffernan, Cian Prendergast (2), Shayne Bolton, Caolin Blade, Bundee Aki. Conversions: Jack Carty (2), JJ Hanrahan (3).
Teams:
Section Paloise: 15 Jack Maddocks, 14 Thomas Carol, 13 Eliott Roudil, 12 Jale Vatubua, 11 Aminiasi Tuimaba, 10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Sacha Zegueur, 7 Thibaut Hamonou, 6 Martin Puech (c), 5 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 4 Guillaume Ducat, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Youri Delhommel, 1 Ziggy Fisi’ihoi. Replacements: 16 Lucas Rey, 17 Hugo Parrou, 18 Guram Papidze, 19 Steve Cummins, 20 Fabrice Metz, 21 Reece Hewat, 22 Thibault Daubagna, 23 Axel Desperes.
Connacht: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 Shayne Bolton, 13 David Hawkshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Shane Jennings, 10 Jack Carty (c), 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Jarrad Butler, 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 6 Cian Prendergast, 5 Niall Murray, 4 Joe Joyce, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Denis Buckley. Replacements: 16 Eoin de Buitléar, 17 Jordan Duggan, 18 Sam Illo, 19 Darragh Murray, 20 Conor Oliver, 21 Matthew Devine, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Tom Farrell.