European Challenge Cup
Connacht keep euro hopes alive
Scrum.com
December 6, 2008
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Date/Time: Dec 6, 2008, 15:00 local, 14:00 GMT
Rovigo 20 - 35 Connacht
A general view of a European Challenge Cup ball, October 9 2008

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Connacht notched a 35-20 bonus point victory over Rugby Rovigo in their European Challenge Cup Pool 1 clash at the Stadio Mario Battaglini.

A try from Sean Cronin after just two minutes gave the visitors an early advantage but German Bustos reduced the arrears with a penalty soon after. The Irish province stretched their lead Ray Ofisa crossed midway through the half and on this occasion Ian Keatley added the extras.

The two fly-halves then traded further penalties before Keatley added two more to his own tally to see his side go into the break with a 21-6 lead.

Scrum-half Frank Murphy scored Connacht's third try early in the second half which Keatley again converted. Back came the hosts with a try from Luke Mahoney which was converted by Bustos but Murphy's second try and the successful conversion put the result beyond doubt.

However there was still time for a consolation score for the hosts with Mahoney grabbing his second and Bustos kicking the extras.

Rugby Rovigo: (6) 20
Tries: Mahoney (2)
Con: Bustos (2)
Pen: Bustos (2)

Connacht: (21) 35
Tries: Cronin, Ofisa, Murphy (2)
Con: Keatley (3)
Pen: Keatley (3)

Rovigo: S Basson, P Calanchini, G Pizarro, N di Maura (S Ambrosio 67), J Sanchez, G Bustos, J Legora (S Canale 65), B Fortuna (J Orlandi 63), V Vicere (L Mahoney 50), J Orlandi (M Sclosa 50), T Reato [capt], M Barion (D Tumiati 50), Y Anouer (S Favaro 61), J Britz, J Immelman (N Badocchi 65)

Connacht Rugby: F Carr (J Hearty 71), T Nathan, G Duffy [capt], K Mathews, D Riordan, I Keatley (T Donnelly 74), F Murphy (K Campbell 74), B Wilkinson, S Cronin (A Flavin 57), R Morris (R Loughney 74), A Browne (D Gannon 57), A Farley (M Swift 74), M McCarthy, J O'Connor, R Ofisa

Referee: JP Doyle (England)

Attendance: 1,000

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