{"id":23292,"date":"2021-10-01T17:38:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-01T21:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23292"},"modified":"2021-10-02T09:41:21","modified_gmt":"2021-10-02T13:41:21","slug":"superb-connacht-seize-bonus-point-win-against-bulls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23292","title":{"rendered":"Superb Connacht Seize Bonus Point Win Against Bulls"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Connacht\u2019s Mack Hansen on his way to scoring at the Sportground (INPHO\/Morgan Treacy)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mack Hansen lit up the Sportsground with an early try-of-the-season contender as Connacht broke clear of Vodacom Bulls to claim a 34-7 bonus-point win in the United Rugby Championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lizo Gqoboka\u2019s second-minute try was cancelled out by a well-taken Tiernan O\u2019Halloran effort. Jack Carty converted and kicked a penalty to make it 10-7 at half-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further tries from Tom Daly and Australian flyer Hansen saw Andy Friend\u2019s men settle the issue and center duo Tom Farrell and Daly crossed in the final minutes to make it a resounding victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still reeling from last week\u2019s deflating defeat to Leinster, the Bulls made a flying start in Galway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zak Burger\u2019s break, combined with some sharp passing, set up prop Gqoboka to score from close range, which Johan Goosen converted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connacht hit back in the 15th minute, a well-driven maul splintering the defence before slick hands in midfield put full-back O\u2019Halloran over and Carty levelled with the conversion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both teams left chances behind them, the hosts narrowly missing out when John Porch\u2019s score was ruled out following a TMO review for a forward pass by Daly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arno Botha was guilty of going off his feet just as the Bulls were poised to score in the 28th minute. In the end, a Carty penalty managed to split the sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early in the second half, Daly finished powerfully past Ruan Combrinck after Connacht had worn down the visitors\u2019 defense, Carty\u2019s conversion making it a 10-point lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then it was Hansen\u2019s turn to gobble up a Bulls kick and break free from 60 meters out. He cut in from the left, beating the cover to draw the biggest cheer of the night on his home debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The try stood \u2013 a potential block was ruled out \u2013 but Carty, who had a fine game in attack and defense, hit the post with the conversion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a frustrating night for Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee and his team-mates, who struggled with their discipline at times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the rain came down, Carty released Farrell for a free-flowing fourth try before Daly bludgeoned his way over right at the death.<\/p>\n

Share this:<\/h3>