Connacht’s Amlin Challenge Cup got back on track thanks to a 16-13 victory against Bayonne at the Sportsground.
Eric Elwood’s side faced elimination from the competition after suffering a loss to part-timers Cavalieri Prato last week, but recalls for Ray Ofisa, Keith Matthews, Gavin Duffy and Jamie Hagan helped the province to a crucial win.
Ian Keatley opened the scoring after just three minutes with a penalty, but Sebastien Fauque struck back with a penalty brace to give the French side the lead.
A blunder from Bayonne’s Marc Baget allowed hooker Sean Cronin to pounce for the opening try of the evening, but Keatley was off-target with the conversion.
Fauque then missed as easy penalty and the hosts held a narrow 8-6 lead at the interval.
Keatley kicked Connacht further ahead after the restart.
Cronin and Fionn Carr combined superbly to set up Gavin Duffy for a second Connacht try to seemingly settle the match, but the visitors set up a nervy finish when hooker David Romieu crossed the Connacht line.
