Connacht run riot
Saturday, 22 October 2005 17:32Connacht consigned to the history books a six-match drought and in the process re-wrote their own records scoring ten tries in a competitive match for the first time to defeat Amatori Catania 62-17.
This was the perfect start to their European Challenge Cup Pool five campaign at wet but relatively warm Sportsground on Saturday.
Keith Matthews established himself as Connacht's leading try scorer for the season with an outstanding hat trick in a solid all round display.
Conor McPhillips now has four tries for the season adding two to his tally on Saturday.
His second on 35 minutes rapped bonus point and opened the floodgates against Catania side that looked completely out of their dept at times.
Paul Warwick opened the scoring for Connacht as he eased through the visiting defence. Catania responded with a break away score from John Grasso which served as a warning to Connacht.
Connacht settled again and Darren Yapp scored twice before again Catania responded on the break. This time Bejamin De Jager scored.
McPhillips responded for Connacht and secured the bonus before Keith Matthews got his firs and Connacht's fifth on half time.
Conor O'Loughlin replaced Warwick at half time and Chris Keane moved to out half as Connacht were in cruise control.
Tries from Matt Mostyn, Colm Rigney two more from Matthews and a final one from McPhillips sealed the win with De Jager scoring for Catania in response.
Connacht will have to refocus for a trip to Montpellier next Friday where the French side will present a much stiffer challenge. The winning formula is back, no sense letting it go any time soon
