Gloucester 40 Connacht 32
Connacht’s dream of playing Champions Cup rugby is over for another season.
In a thrilling contest that went went to the wire and extra time, Gloucester prevailed in extra time to host Bordeaux-Begles in the second leg play-off next Sunday.
Not for the first time Connacht had a nightmare start, and not for the first time they were forced to suffer a heartbreaking loss to this English outfit - but they came agonisingly close. And ironically it was Jonny May - the player who broke their hearts several years ago - who finished with a flourish, sealing the deal with a try in the ninth minute of extra time.
Connacht looked to have done enough when Matt Healy broke through to score under the posts midway through the second half of extra time, but a yellow card to Connacht's replacement hooker Dave Heffernan ensured David Humphrey's side prevailed, with Darren Dawiduk crossing to take a one-point lead, and May finishing off in style.
It ended a pulsating contest in which Connacht would have been deserving winners, having come from behind after just 122 seconds whenNo 8 Ross Moriarty was given the nod for the first try by TMO, and Greig Laidlaw added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
However Connacht worked their way back into the contest from the restart, and excellent pack work sent Gloucester reeling with Jack Carty kicking the resultant penalty after seven minutes. It improved considerably when Matt Healy forced the knock-on from Bill Meakes' pass to Charlie Sharples in the Connacht 22, and John Cooney raced home untouched for the perfect riposte. Carty added the extras to give Connacht a 10-7 lead.
As mistakes crept into Connacht’s game, Gloucester countered with a penalty after 19 minutes with a powerful scrum and Laidlaw levelled matters, and when the home side forced an overlap out wide, Meakes fed Sharples who finished off in the left corner, with Laidlaw missing the touchline conversion.
With sides playing open running rugby in perfect conditions, Connacht were back on the attack minutes later. Keeping ball in hand, they showed considerable patience to work their way into the 22. Fionn Carr made some yards from a deft inside pass from Carty, but the young outhalf finished off, scampering under the posts for Connacht's second try and adding the extras which gave Connacht a 17-15 lead going into the break.
The home side restored the lead within three minutes of the restart from a Laidlaw penalty after Connacht were penalised for going off their at the breakdown, but they failed to add to their score after Connacht flanker Eoghan Masterson was yellow carded for not rolling away with Laidlaw making a rare kicking mistake. In end to end rugby, Connacht grabbed a valuable foothold after 60 minutes despite being a player down, and Carty's inch perfect chip was caught by Healy who raced in for Connacht's third try. Carty missed the touchline conversion, but it gave Connacht a 22 - 18 lead after 61 minutes.
As the fixture swung from one end other, neither side could add the score. Gloucester were denied a try when O'Halloran's tackle forced a try-diving Jonny May in touch, but in a frantic finish, thanks to a John Muldoon intercept and Healy's well judged kick, Connacht finished the game in their opponents half. When Gloucester failed to clear their lines, Connacht forced the penalty and Carty added an extra three points for a 25 - 18 lead.
However Gloucester had one more chance to launch an attack with a penalty to touch. From the rolling maul, and another penalty, Bill Meakes struck, weaving his way through a host of bemused Connacht players to touch down. The TMO was once again was called in, Laidlaw added the conversion to level the contest, sending the game into extra time.
Scorers: Gloucester: Tries, Moriarty, Sharples, Meakes, Dawiduik, May. Penalties, Laidlaw (2), Hook (1), Conversions, Laidlaw (3).
