Connacht too good for Edinburgh

Connacht have a six point lead over second-placed Leinster, but the latter has played two games less.

Ulster put recent poor form firmly behind them in the Pro12 as they ended a two-game losing run against Zebre thanks to an all-star showing by flyhalf Paddy Jackson and No.8 Nick Williams for a 32-0 win.

Scarlets survived a second-half scare from bottom-of-the-table Benetton Treviso as Steffan Evans inspired a 24-15 victory at Parc y Scarlets.

Edinburgh 23-28 Connacht

Tries from AJ MacGinty, Jake Heenan and Bundee Aki either side of the break meant Pat Lam's men enjoyed a 21-5 lead early in the second half.

But Damien Hoyland and Cornell du Preez followed Chris Dean's earlier score to move Edinburgh to within a point of the visitors before Eoin McKeon's try bonus point finish gave Connacht breathing space.

And Sam Hidalgo-Clyne ensured Edinburgh did not finish empty handed with a penalty when the clock had surpassed 80 minutes.

The victory was Connacht's third consecutive away win in the league – the first time they had achieved the feat since the 2002/3 season.

They were boosted by the return of Nathan White, who played in all three of Ireland's Six Nations games last month, while Edinburgh also welcomed back international players Matt Scott, Hidalgo-Clyne and Rory Sutherland.

Craig Ronaldson was unable to kick the game's first points early in the game when Edinburgh were penalised for a high tackle and the centre's effort from close to the touchline hit the upright.

Connacht were the ones applying the pressure on the opposition try line early on but failed to make it count on two occasions, as Kieran Marmion lost the ball in contact and then Edinburgh's Blair Kinghorn knocked on as he tried to intercept Tiernan O'Halloran's pass.

But Pat Lam's men did score the game's first try midway through the first half when a scrum on the five-metre line ended with MacGinty picking a lovely line when the ball was moved to the backs. Craig Ronaldson added the extras.

Connacht were dominating the territory and possession and Danie Poolman thought he had scored a second in the corner only for the TMO to rule that he had failed to ground the ball,

The pressure continued and when Connacht's driving maul was pulled down by Anton Bresler just after the half an hour mark, the lock was sent to the sin bin and moments later Jake Heenan went over following a line-out drive.

Ronaldson's fantastic touchline conversion made it 14-0 and although O'Halloran was sent to the bin for a high tackle before the interval, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne missed the penalty and the visitors went into the break with a comfortable lead.

The drama continued at the start of the second half as a minute after Bresler returned following his yellow card, Damien Hoyland released Dean on the outside and he touched down, with Hidalgo-Clyne unable to add the extras.

But just two minutes later and Connacht grabbed their third try of the game when Aki spotted a gap and darted through; Ronaldson making it 21-5.

Edinburgh were pilling on the pressure though and after a huge driving maul and well-worked move, a perfect passed allowed Hoyland to dot down in the corner and Hidalgo-Clyne made no mistake this time to close the gap to 21-12.

The hosts then moved to within a score when du Preez took advantage of a three-on-one in the corner and although Hidalgo-Clyne's conversion struck the bar, he did reduce the deficit to just a solitary point with a penalty 12 minutes from time.

But the momentum shifted once again and a minute after Connacht had one potential try ruled out, they grabbed a bonus point when McKeon broke from the base of the scrum to score and MacGinty added the extras to make it 28-20.

It looked as though all of Edinburgh's endeavour would result in nothing as the Fields of Athenry rang around Murrayfield with the clock winding down.

But the hosts continued to attack and were awarded a penalty in additional time which Hidalgo-Clyne slotted to secure a losing bonus point.

The scorers:

For Edinburgh

Tries: Du Preez, Hoyland, Dean

Con: Hidalgo-Clyne

Pens: Hidalgo-Clyne 2

For Connacht:

Tries: McKeon, Aki, Heenan, MacGinty

Cons: Ronaldson 3, MacGinty

Edinburgh: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Damien Hoyland, 13 Chris Dean, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Tom Brown, 10 Phil Burleigh, 9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 8 Cornell Du Preez, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Ben Toolis, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 John Andress, 2 Neil Cochrane, 1 Rory Sutherland.

Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Allan Dell, 18 Simon Berghan, 19 Alex Toolis, 20 Magnus Bradbury, 21 Sean Kennedy, 22 Sam Beard, 23 Dougie Fife.

Connacht: 15  Tiernan O’Halloran, 14  Danie Poolman, 13  Bundee Aki, 12 Craig Ronaldson, 11 Matt Healy, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 John Muldoon (captain), 7 Jake Heenan, 6 Sean O’Brien, 5 Aly Muldowney, 4 Quinn Roux, 3 Nathan White, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Denis Buckley.

Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 Finlay Bealham, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Danny Qualter, 20 Eoin McKeon, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Peter Robb, 23 Fionn Carr.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

Ulster 32-0 Zebre

Having lost against Cardiff Blues and Scarlets in their last two encounters; Ulster knew nothing but a win would do if they are to retain their ambitions of claiming an end-of-season play-off place.

The Irish side started like an express train and scored the game's opening points thanks a long range penalty from Jackson after just four minutes.

Armed with the momentum it got even better for Ulster just four minutes later as Jackson claimed his second penalty of the evening after Zebre flank Emiliano Caffini was penalised for his second high tackle.

Zebre, who haven't won since mid-January after their European triumph at Worcester Warriors, and have failed to record a victory outside of Italy in the Pro12 since September 2013, looked visibly shocked by Ulster's fast start.

The Italians stuttering performance was further punished on ten minutes as giant Ulster No.8 Nick Williams rumbled over from close range, with the ever-reliable Jackson adding the extras.

Rory Scholes was left frustrated on 26 minutes as he saw his try disallowed; the Ulster wing had his score chalked off following an accidental infringement by Ulster centre Luke Marshall in the build-up.

After fluffing opportunities to add to their try-count – Ulster finally notched their second score of the evening; it was more of the same for the No.8 as he powered home from just a metre out despite the attention of three Zebre defenders – again Jackson converted.

Zebre have won just once against Ulster in their last six meetings, but with the score 20-0 after half-an-hour the game was effectively over as a contest, with the Italians seemingly more intent on damage limitation.

Ulster thought they had scored their third try of the evening on 50 minutes, an incisive break by Marshall saw the home side rampage into the Zebre 22, and after a period of sustained pressure Williams rumbled over for his third score of the night but it was chalked off for a knock-on in the build-up.

Zebre grew in stature as the second half progressed, enjoying more possession and territory but with their first sight of the Ulster try line on 60 minutes centre Giulio Bisegni produced a poor pass and the ball went agonisingly into touch.

Ulster did get their third try of the night on 64 minutes; after the powerful Williams had been held up just short of the Zebre line, lock Pete Browne dotted down from close range but Jackson this time failed to add the extras.

Despite going 25-0, Zebre refused to throw in the towel and were unfortunate not to get their first points of the night seven minutes from time as replacement wing Giulio Toniolatti was bundled into touch with the tryline gaping.

With three minutes remaining Ulster were finally rewarded with a try bonus point; Paul Marshall scored under the posts after a break from Darren Cave had created the opportunity – Jackson once again added the extras to make the final score 32-0.

The scorers:

For Ulster:

Tries: Marshall, Browne, Williams 2

Cons: Jackson 3

Pens: Jackson 2

For Zebre:

None

Teams: 

Ulster: 15 Craig Gilroy, 14 Rory Scholes, 13 Luke Marshall, 12 Stuart Olding, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Robbie Diack, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Pete Browne, 3 Ricky Lutton, 2 Rob Herring (captain), 1 Kyle McCall. 

Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Callum Black, 18 Andrew Warwick, 19 Roger Wilson, 20 Sean Reidy, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Sam Windsor, 23 Darren Cave.

Zebre: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Giulio Toniolatti, 13 Giulio Bisegni, 12 Tommaso Castello, 11 Kayle Van Zyl, 10 Edoardo Padovani, 9 Fabio Semenzato, 8 Federico Ruzza, 7 Johan Meyer, 6 Emiliano Caffini, 5 Marco Bortolami (captain), 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Dario Chistolini, 2 Oliviero Fabiani, 1 Andrea De Marchi.

Replacements: 16 Emiliano Coria, 17 Guillermo Roan, 18 Pietro Ceccarelli, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Filippo Cristiano, 21 Luke Burgess, 22 Ian McKinley, 23 Ulrich Beyers.

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)

Scarlets 24-15 Benetton Treviso

The Welsh region raced to a 14-0 lead inside the opening quarter after a superb Steffan Evans finish and James Davies score soon after.

But Robert Barbieri's double in the second period saw the visitors go ahead only for Dan Jones' penalty and a second try for Evans to save Scarlets' blushes and boost their Pro12 play-off hopes.

Scarlets' last three matches in the Pro12 had all been decided by a solitary point, with seven of their last eight contests separated by a winning margin of just two points.

But they made a strong start with the first score of the game coming after 13 minutes. Captain Hadleigh Parkes did well to gain yards and stay on his feet long enough for support to arrive and when the ball was moved to Steffan Evans, the wing beat four defenders on his way to a glorious score under the posts – leaving Aled Thomas with a simple conversion.

And it only took a matter of minutes for the lead to be extended when Parkes turned down the chance to kick for goal in favour of the corner and the power of the pack saw James Davies dot down for his sixth Pro12 try of the season after checking with the TMO Derek Bevan. Thomas again added the extras to make it 14-0.

Scarlets's fine start was no doubt boosted by the return of Wales internationals Aled Davies and Jake Ball, Scotland's John Barclay at No.8 and winge DTH van der Merwe.

But while Treviso are bottom of the table, they have recently beaten Newport Gwent Dragons and Cardiff Blues and narrowly lost to Munster last weekend.

And they could have been level – if not ahead – at half-time had they been more clinical.

The lively start continued when Treviso's Jayden Hayward reduced the deficit with a penalty two minutes after Scarlets' second try and the fullback looked to have set his side on their way to their first score with a two-on-one, only for Parkes to make a try-saving tackle.

The visitors almost scored again before the half an hour mark when Barbieri thought he had the ball down over the line but after a host of bodies piled in, the TMO decided the No.8 was held up.

Treviso's hopes of a fightback were dealt a blow in the second half when Alberto Lucchese left referee John Lacey with no option but to give the official's first yellow card of the season in his 50th Pro12 match, as the scrumhalf cynically went off his feet.

And Scarlets should have made them pay immediately when Parkes had overlaps on either side as he burst through but the game's standout performer decided to go it alone and the chance was wasted.

But it was the 14 men of Treviso who were to grab the next try as a mistake at the Scarlets' line-out allowed Barbieri to touch down to make it 14-8, with Hayward missing the conversion.

The Italian side now had a spring in their steps and moments after they were back up to full complement, Barbieri read debutant Connor Lloyd's pass out the back of the ruck and he ran in unopposed for his second try in four minutes; leaving Hayward to kick his team into a 15-14 lead.

But Scarlets were able to regain their advantage with 13 minutes remaining when they were awarded a penalty and Dan Jones slotted between the posts.

And the hosts were given breathing space when Steffan Evans scored a deserved second try after Regan King and Parkes showed quick hands and the wing used his feet well once again to beat a couple of defenders.

Jones' superb kick moved Scarlets to 24-15 as they regained their composure after the Treviso fightback and saw out the remaining eight minutes.

The scorers:

For Scarlets:

Tries: Davies, Evans 2

Cons: Thomas 2, Jones

Pen: Jones

For Benetton Treviso:

Tries: Barbieri 2

Con: Hayward

Pen: Hayward

Teams:

Scarlets: 15 Michael Collins, 14 Steff Evans, 13 Regan King, 12 Hadleigh Parkes (captain), 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Aled Davies, 8 John Barclay, 7 James Davies, 6 Maselino Paulino, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Peter Edwards, 2 Kirby Myhill, 1 Dylan Evans.

Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Phil John, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 Tom Price, 20 Will Boyde, 21 Connor Lloyd, 22 Dan Jones, 23 Gareth Owen.

Treviso: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Alberto Sgarbi (captain), 11 Tommaso Iannone, 10 Sam Christie, 9 Alberto Lucchese, 8 Robert Barbieri, 7 Marco Lazzaroni, 6 Marco Barbini, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Filo Paulo, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Luca Bigi, 1 Alberto De Marchi.

Replacements: 16 Federico Zani, 17 Cherif Traorè, 18 Filippo Filippetto, 19 Jeff Montauriol, 20 Dean Budd, 21 Abraham Steyn, 22 Chris Smylie, 23 Simone Ragusi.

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)

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