Rugby: Matthews puts icing on the cake for Bradley

CONNACHT 43

MONTPELLIER 10

CENTRE Keith Matthews ran in two late tries to crown a superb victory for Connacht at the Sportsground yesterday.

But by then Michael Bradley's men had done all the hard work against a Montpellier side who produced a spirited display despite being out of contention.

The result might flatter Connacht but they will not be concerned as they are now poised to reach the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup for the fourth year in succession.

Montpellier put up a surprisingly strong fight and just a converted try separated the sides going into the final quarter.

But then Connacht cut loose and ran in four tries and they head to Sicily next week knowing that victory over Catania will see them through to the last eight.

Connacht got a perfect start when scrum-half Chris Keane broke from the 22 for a converted try after ten minutes.

Full-back David Bortolussi pulled back a penalty for Montpellier after 21 minutes but by then they should have been ahead but fly- half Regis Lespinas overhit a grubber under the posts.

Montpellier's tackling in midfield was superb during a first half littered with mistakes.

Connacht, though, were content to be 7-3 in front at the break with the strong wind to come in the second half.

It was obvious that they would pull away if they cut out handling errors and injected a bit more aggression into the tackling.

But Montpellier should have been awarded a try when Georgian flanker Mamuka Gorgodze got over in the corner but referee Wayne Barnes did not see the touchdown and awarded a fivemetre scrum.

The English official, perhaps conscious of his error, awarded Montpellier a penalty try from the next phase when Connacht brought down the scrum.

Bortolussi's conversion pushed Montpellier 10-7 in front but the lead lasted just two minutes as David Slemen landed a 25-metre penalty when Montpellier captain Michael Macurdy was lucky not to be carded for stamping.

Connacht went back to basics after that and kicked the corners. They were rewarded after 54 minutes when Colm Rigney touched down after a drive from a lineout in the corner. Slemen added the points to make it 17-10.

The sin-binning of Montpellier centre Murphy Taele and then skipper Macurdy just as he was returning took the wind out of the French challenge.

By then the Connacht pack, with Rigney, skipper Andrew Farley and flanker Matt Lacey superb, were well on top.

Lacey got their third try with 17 minutes left and then Conor McPhillips secured the bonus point six minutes later.

They went showboating in the closing minutes as Matthews ran in a brace of tries for a flattering scoreline.

"We needed to make sure they did not build up a lead in the opening half when they had the wind," said Bradley.

"We knew we could break them down in the second half but it was vital we did not have a lot of catching up to do.

"It was great to lead at the break and we finished well. Our fate is now in our own hands."

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