Connacht cause an upset
New Zealander Miah Nikora kicked a late penalty to seal a 22-21 victory for Connacht over high-flying Edinburgh.
Last Updated: 02/04/10 8:53pm
Magners League bottom club Connacht caused an upset with a 22-21 victory over high-flying Edinburgh at the Sportsground.
New Zealander Miah Nikora kicked a late penalty to help the hosts extend their unbeaten run on home soil to seven matches.
Connacht's success was even more impressive considering they were without a plethora of key players, including team captain John Muldoon.
They had raced out to an 11-0 lead as a try from winger Brian Tuohy was sandwiched in between a penalty and a drop goal from fly-half Ian Keatley.
It could have been even better had chances not gone begging, Fionn Carr backed his speed rather than his boot, while both Mike McComish and Michael Swift were held up close to the line on separate occasions.
However play-off hopefuls Edinburgh hit back with two quickfire tries to take a 14-11 lead into the half-time interval.
Double
Tim Visser went over shortly after the half-hour mark and just four minutes later fellow winger Mark Robertson crossed, Phil Godman converting both to give the Scottish side the advantage.
Rob Moffat's men then tore into their hosts at the start of the second half, Ben Cairns coming the closest to scoring during a period of real pressure.
Yet for all their efforts they were caught cold by a sucker punch, Keatley intercepting a pass on the 10-metre line before racing away to score.
The number 10 failed to add the extras but did land a 54th-minute penalty to push Connacht clear.
Edinburgh rallied impressively from the setback, though, going ahead again when number eight Roddy Grant forced his way over for a try that Godman converted.
At 21-19 up with 20 minutes remaining, the visitors looked to be on course for their first away win since December. But Nikora had other ideas, coolly stepping up to land the match-winning penalty after replacing Keatley.
