Connacht ……..31 Benetton……….14
PAUL Boyle crowned his first game as Connacht skipper with a superb hattrick in Galway as the hosts moved into second place in Conference B.
Head coach Andy Friend Friend opted to stick with the 23-year old to lead them despite club captain Jarrad Butler starting the match as a late replacement for injured Sean O'Brien – and Boyle rewarded him with an outstanding display.
“I thought he was brilliant for us but he has been superb for us for a few seasons now,” Friend said.
“He's only a young man but he's a real leader. He has a strong carry and is a good defender, it's great to have him in a Connacht jersey.
“I thought it was a great way for him to top off his first game as captain with three tries.”
Connacht had the wind and rain behind them in the opening half at the Sportsground and they used it well, wrapping up the bonus point to lead 24-7 at the break.
Boyle led the way with two opening half tries, powerfully carrying off the back of scrums to score, while winger Peter Sullivan scored his first try for the province, when he added his bulk to a maul close to the line.
Benetton hit back when Filippo Alongi scored from close range, but centre Tommaso Benvenuti was sin-binned after the grounding when he dived on top of the prostrate Gavin Thornbury.
Two minutes later Connacht's response was fitting when Alex Wootton finished off a first-phase move through the backs for his fifth try of the season, before Boyle secured the bonus point.
Connacht continued to boss matters after the break and Boyle's dream night as captain was completed after 54 minutes when he powered over from close range.
With half-backs Conor Fitzgerald and Caolin Blade controlling the game, Connacht looked likeliest to score another try, but instead Dewaldt Duvenage bagged a consolation for Benetton two minutes from time.
