Connacht ……..36 Sharks…………..30

By MATT COUCH

CONNACHT overturned a 20-point half-time deficit to clinch a five-try victory to go third in the table. They dominated the opening quarter with Dave Heffernan scoring after four minutes. Former Harlequins centre Andre Esterhuizen busted through to level the scores before Jordan Hendrikse’s penalty from halfway to put the visitors into the lead.

Moments later, the South Africans played it wide and after a couple of recycles the 18-cap Springbok Esterhuizen barged over again. Gerbrandt Grobler bashed over for another converted try for 27-7 at half-time.

Connacht hit back when Cathal Forde’s delicate chip was collected by David Hawkshaw, who returned the pass for Forde to score. Connacht got their third try after winning a scrum penalty. It was the same well-worked lineout maul with the same player, Heffernan, dashing over.

Sharks made their way into the 22 and looked likely to strike but replacement scrum-half Tian Meyer had his pass picked off by who won a brilliant race to the line from over 70 metres out.

Sam Illo, playing a penalty advantage, was denied after aTMO intervention but replacement Oisin Dowling powered over a minute later and Forde’s conversion put Connacht 33-27 in front.

Paul Boyle came up with a jackal penalty as Sharks threatened on the 22 and a high clear out allowed Connacht to see out the game, Forde’s late penalty pushed the margin out to eight and Siya Masuku’s late penalty meant the South Africans would leave with a bonus point.