Scarlets 23

Connacht 24

By JOHN FALLON

CONNACHT head coach Pete Wilkins hailed the composure shown by Cathal Forde in slotting a match-winning penalty two minutes from time to snatch victory in Llanelli last Friday.

The penalty from the right wing was the latest piece of magic from the 23-year old who has been the leading light in Connacht’s bright start to the season. The versatile former Irish U-20 has played at outside centre, inside centre and out-half in Connacht’s three URC games so far.

He got in for a try which netted a bonus point against Munster, then got the try after half-time which sparked a remarkable comeback against Sharks when they came from 20 points adrift at the break to win, with the Corinthians RFC product kicking a penalty and three conversions in that game.

He switched to out-half when Jack Carty went off against Scarlets on Friday night and after the Welsh side edged in front seven minutes from time, Forde was presented with a chance to win it in the 78th minute when Connacht won a penalty near the 22 out on the right and he duly delivered.

“It wasn’t an easy one but I was confident in Cathal. It was far enough to the touch line to be missable, but the way he has been kicking this season we had full faith in him,” said Wilkins.

The win ensured Connacht have picked up 11 points out of a possible 15 and Wilkins said this was the sort of match they might have lost last season. “I was waiting for our game to click back into gear in the second half and it just wasn’t happening.

“That’s the stage when you know it’s too close for comfort on the scoreboard and you wonder if we’ve got it in us to find a way. In fairness to the team we did that and it shows the progress we are making. I’m not sure we would have won that game this time last year.”

Forde maintained his composure to land the winning kick in a game where the lead changed hands five times. Connacht led 21-14 at the end of a chaotic opening half, racing into a 14-0 lead after just 15 minutes before a yellow card to Bundee Aki saw them hauled back before they again hit the front before the break.

Pictured: Cathal Forde who kicked the winning penalty away to Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship on Friday night.