On a record-breaking weekend for the Guinness PRO14, points flowed, curses were banished, and claims were staked as the competition continued its breathless start to the new campaign. With three sides bringing up the scoreboard half-centuries, and only two failing to reach double-figures, the landmark 400-point barrier was breached for the first time since 2003⁄04. But that was not the only moment of history, as the Dragons ended their wait for victory on the road, while the Toyota Cheetahs, Leinster and Munster stayed perfect. Here’s a look at the best of the action from Round 2. Fire-breathing Dragons The date was March 28, 2015, and the Dragons were toasting a stellar 32-15 victory on their trip back from Benetton. Little did they know that it would be four-and-a-half years until they would do so again, but this weekend was to be that moment. 🛣 ROAD TRIP | 🇮🇹➡️🏴🧳 bags packed and coming home with 5️⃣ points ✅Good luck to @JamesChapron @paultaylorsport - only 1,037 miles to get back 😬#BringYourFire🔥 pic.twitter.com/Bq87wHh7Wg— Dragons 🏉 (@dragonsrugby) 6 October 2019 Another trip to Italy, this time it was Zebre who were felled as the Welsh outfit ran up 50 points for only the second time as they won out 52-28. After going behind early, Owen Jenkins’ double and Charlie Walker’s red card for the hosts turned the tide in their favour as they ran in seven scores for the first time on the road. Cheetahs run riot Heads were turned after the Cheetahs toppled last season’s finalists Glasgow Warriors in Round 1, and the Bloemfontein side took the opportunity to ram home their reputation in matchday two. Ulster were the next to visit Toyota Stadium, and would leave with their tails between their legs as an Anthony Volmink hat-trick paved the way for an emphatic 63-26 win. Great team effort last night 💪🏾🐆 pic.twitter.com/OPquoO7LXM— JiggaManjezi (@sintu_manjezi) 6 October 2019 His five clean breaks were the most of any player in Round 2, while Ruan Pienaar continued his standout start to his homecoming with 12 points against his old side. Leinster hit 50 After somewhat labouring to victory against 14-man Benetton last time out, the reigning Guinness PRO14 champions put in a more decisive display to beat Ospreys on home soil. A hat-trick for Ronan Kelleher – the first tries of his senior career – took the game away from the Welsh side, as Leinster showed their trademark ruthlessness to triumph 53-5. View this post on Instagram We think @joetomane enjoyed his Friday night at the RDS... 😄✌✌ #LeinsterRugby #JoinTheRoar #GuinnessPRO14 A post shared by Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) on Oct 6, 2019 at 10:01am PDT Ross Byrne was the creator-in-chief as he notched up two assists, but the day undoubtedly belonged to the young hooker. # Munster do the business down south The final side with a spotless 10 points from their opening fixtures is Munster, who were made to battle for the honour as they bested the Isuzu Southern Kings 30-21 in Port Elizabeth. A tightly-fought affair for most of the first half, Mike Haley’s score alone separated the sides, but they were made to come from behind after Stefan Ungerer’s second-half score for the hosts. 📸 Shout out to our fantastic supporters who made the journey to South Africa & were behind us yesterday afternoon at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium for #KINvMUN 🙌👏#SUAF🔴#MunsterInSA🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/dIUIKizYgj— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) 6 October 2019 But last year’s semi-finalists turned on the gas and hit the front, Shane Daly shining once again as he scooped his second man-of-the-match award in as many games. Scarlets consign Warriors to tricky start After last week’s tough trip to South Africa, the Glasgow Warriors were back amongst more familiar circumstances as Scotstoun prepared for its first game of the season. Defeated only once at the ground last season, they matched that figure at first time of asking this campaign, after the Scarlets edged a well-contested battle 25-21. View this post on Instagram Two from two. What character, what a win! Da iawn bois #ynypac A post shared by Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) on Oct 4, 2019 at 2:00pm PDT The game finely balanced, it needed a catalyst, and that is exactly what it got when the visitors grabbed a trio of tries in just six minutes of second-half rugby. And though the Warriors looked to fight back through Brandon Thomson and Stafford McDowall, it was to be too late as Glasgow fell to their second defeat in two weeks. # Edinburgh have Bennett to thank again Mark Bennett has enjoyed a dream return to the rugby pitch this year. After being dogged by injury trouble, a hat-trick against Zebre in Round 1 reminded Edinburgh fans of his qualities. 2 from 2. Great shift from the @EdinburghRugby lads! pic.twitter.com/gfOVEKDnk6— George Taylor (@Geeorrgee) 6 October 2019 A tougher contest this time out, the hosts held a one-point lead with the clock ticking into the match’s final 10 minutes, but for Bennett to make sure of the spoils in Cardiff with a late score, Jaco van der Walt converting to make it 19-11 at the whistle. Connacht back with a bang After defeat to Leinster in Round 1, Andy Friend’s men made the perfect response to leave Benetton trailing in Conference B. Six tries, with two each from Caolin Blade and Tom McCartney, ran up the scoreboard as they ended up comfortable 41-5 victors. View this post on Instagram 6 tries and 5 points. We are off and running! #StrongerInGreen #CONvBEN A post shared by Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) on Oct 5, 2019 at 1:18pm PDT And it was a family affair at the Sportsground, both Conor and Stephen Fitzgerald, and Eoghan and Seán Masterson turned out for the hosts as brothers-in-arms.
