Marais holds nerve to kill off Connacht at the death

By BILL KIELY

CONNACHT were left shattered after a last minute penalty cost them on their first visit to South Africa.

After a stunning second-half display, Connacht were 25-23 ahead approaching the dying minutes but they coughed up a penalty at a lineout and fly-half Niel Marais landed the match-winner.

Connacht trailed 16-15 at half-time despite two good tries from Matt Healy before Eoin Griffin’s second-half effort looked to have set them up for victory.

“It was disappointing how the game unfolded after we put in such a spirited display”, said head coach Kieran Keane. “But I am very proud of the boys and we will build on this performance after the break.”

Connacht did well to compose themselves after the early concession of a try, where their defence were caught napping in the fourth minute when No.8 Uzair Cassiem spotted a huge opening left by centre Pita Ahki and raced through to score.

Marais added the difficult conversion and he also scored a penalty in the tenth minute.

Connacht were reeling but hit back when Tiernan O’Halloran’s wonderful handling put Healy in down the left wing.

Healy ran around to make the kick easier for Carty and Connacht only trailed 10-7. But Marais was successful with his third kick to push his side further clear.

However, Connacht were in for their second try in the 21st minute when another fluid backline move saw Healy score despite the attentions of Franco Venter in the left corner. Carty missed the conversion and Marais missed with his fourth penalty attempt, which Carty punished from inside his own half with just one minute left in the half.

It was 16-15 to Cheetahs at half-time and Connacht had the perfect start to the second-half. The hosts were penalised when they failed to release in the tackle and Carty gave Connacht the lead for the first time from a penalty.

Carty set up Griffin’s try in the 58th minute and Connacht looked to be heading for victory but Sibhale Maxwane scored with 19 minutes remaining.

Connacht looked like they would survive but Marais kept his nerve and slotted the winner.