Connacht have been the one shining light for Irish rugby this season. Tonight, they put a smile back on our faces.
The national team may have fallen short at Twickenham but Pat Lam’s men from the west keep winning.
A 30-22 victory over Ospreys ensures Connacht are now six points clear at the top of the Guinness PRO12 table.
The party started early at The Sportsground as Bundee Aki finished off a sweeping backline move with 90 seconds on the clock. Craig Ronaldson converted to make it 7-0 but the elshmen tagged back a penalty.
Connacht fans were lepping [not leaping] in the aisles again after 10 minutes when AJ McGinty grabbed another try, which Ronaldson converted from the touchline.
Revelry was put aside for the next 20 minutes as Ospreys heaved back. They grabbed two scores in quick succession the second a decent effort from Dan Baker – and went ahead, 15-14.
Ronaldson’s penalty gave the hosts a half-time lead and a super, slippery score from in-form winger Matt Healy made it 24-15 after 51 minutes.
Rhys Webb got Ospreys back in the game with a sniping try but two Ronaldson penalties and stout defence saw Connacht emerge 30-22 and Ospreys with zero points to show for their efforts or airfare.
