A battling performance from Pat Lam’s Connacht got them over the line in a back and forth GUINNESS PRO12 clash with Cardiff Blues.

It was a first half that saw the visitors produce some dogged rugby and pull back from a 12-point deficit to go in just two behind at the break.

But the home side found their form after the interval and produced a strong showing to take the points as Cardiff faded.

The hosts burst out of the blocks and Jack Carty had an early sighter with less than a minute on the clock but his effort drifted wide.

Cardiff wasted no time in getting to work themselves as they edged their way up field and Aled Summerhill intercepted a Connacht pass before bursting away to cruise over the line with Rhys Patchell on target with the conversion.

But that lead was cut almost immediately as Kieran Marmion collected the ball at the base of the scrum and crashed over – Carty successful with his second kick of the evening.

The Blues were looking to assert themselves on the match and they almost had another when they created a three-on-one inside the Connacht 22 but Matt Healy made an important tackle to keep the scores level.

As time wore on the home side looked the more likely and, after a good spell of possession, Nepia Fox-Matamua forced his way over from the back of a maul and Carty converted.

And they had another less than five minutes later as Rory Parata found Danie Poolman in space and the winger dotted down for his third in as many games.

With the scores at 19-7 Cardiff were in dire need of some points but they missed the chance on the half-hour when Patchell sent a penalty wide.

They did close the gap shortly after however when Josh Turnbull’s try and Patchell’s conversion moved them within five.

And that gap was two by the time the half-time whistle blew with a Patchell penalty coming after Tiernan O’Halloran saw yellow for offside.

Cardiff looked to take advantage of the extra man in the second half and they came close early on only to be held up at the line.

But they had their score and the lead after 48 minutes when a chip through saw full back Dan Fish collect and Patchell’s kick took it to 24-19.

A scrappy period followed but the home side were dogged in their approach and O’Halloran collected a cross-field Carty kick to score.

Carty’s kick then gave Connacht a two-point lead and they moved closer to the win just after the hour when the home side went through phase after phase before Aly Muldowney charged over for a converted try.

Time was running out for Cardiff but a penalty seven minutes from time gave them a lifeline although Gareth Davies saw his kick fly wide.

That was the Welsh side’s big chance to get back into the match and, with a minute remaining, Carty’s penalty secured the win for Connacht.

But there was some consolation for the Blues at the death as Sam Hobbs salvaged the bonus-point.

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