Peter Burke
It was a night of two, Finlay Bealham marking his 200th appearance for Connacht and the graduate, Matthew Devine getting the MOTM award for their win over Zebre in the Sportsground, 54-16.
Devine was impressive as the 22 year old scrum-half, on his first start, bagged two first-half tries, giving Connacht a 21-11 lead heading into the sheds.
It took a while for Connacht to wrestle control of the game with Prisciantelli and Gesi both converting Trulla’s 20th-minute try, but JJ kept the westerners score ticking.
Lucchin’s breakaway try was the highlight of Zebre’s second half, which was marred with yellow cards for Fischetti and Zambonin.
Paea was sin binned for a high tackle on Porch, and a Prisciantelli drop-goal gave the visitors the lead.
Zebre made a critical mistake of turning their back on Devine who after a quick tap penalty sprinted over and touched down despite the efforts of two Zebre players, the man was playing like he was out to prove himself and he did in spades. Soon after Prisciantellis grubber kick, allowing Trulla to nudge the ball on and touch down.
Soon that man again Devine had another go and darted over for his second of the night.
Gesi kicked a penalty to add to the Zebre tally but soon after JJ Hanrahan’s well-weighted cross-field kick bounced up for Murray who gladly accepted and scored in the corner.
Tom Farrell, Sean O’Brien, Bundee Aki and Hanrahan all added to Connacht’s bag of seven trys, before a late penalty try for an illegally collapsed maul and JJ did the honours.
Connacht now sit ninth in the table, level on 39 points with eighth-placed Edinburgh.
Connacht travel to play the Dragons next on the 27th.
Excellent report there Mr Burke . You have a bright future ahead of you as a journalist