Sharks thashed by Connacht, Glasgow nilled by URC strugglers

Connacht cruised to a 44-17 bonus-point URC win against Durban Sharks, scoring five tries at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway to secure just their second win of the season

After Sean Naughton’s early penalty for Connacht, the Sharks mauled their way over for the first try, touched down by hooker Fez Mbatha and not converted before Connacht came storming back.

Back row Paul Boyle’s converted try and a second Naughton penalty put the home side 13-5 up before the Sharks were reduced to 14 men, with second row Jason Jenkins sent to the sin-bin in the 28th minute.

Wing Chay Mullins’ converted try and another Naughton penalty extended Connacht’s lead to 23-5 at half-time and the home side cruised further ahead through centre Hugh Gavin’s first try for the club, with Naughton adding the extras.

The Sharks reduced the deficit through through wing Makazole Mapimpi’s unconverted touch down, but Connacht responded with their fourth try of the match, with replacement scrum half Matthew Devine going over and Naughton landing his fourth conversion.

Sharks replacement Emile van Heerden touched down for the visitors’ second try, converted by Jordan Hendrikse, but Connacht had the final word as prop Sam Illo touched down for the bonus-point try and the faultless Naughton converted.

JOSH MACLEOD LEADS FROM FRONT AS SCARLETS CLINCH FIRST WIN
Captain Josh MacLeod and Macs Page both scored tries as Scarlets secured their first win of the season by beating Glasgow in Llanelli.

MacLeod went over in the first half and centre Page in the second, while stand-off Sam Costelow was in fine form with the boot, landing two conversions and three penalties.

Scarlets remain bottom of the table, but finally got their season up and running following four straight defeats.

The Welsh side led 13-0 at half-time through MacLeod’s converted try – the flanker was driven over from close range following a line-out – and two penalties from Costelow.

Centre Macs Page followed up to go over for Scarlets’ second try soon after the interval after Tommy Lewis had gathered a kick ahead, and Costelow’s brilliant touchline conversion extended his side’s lead to 20-0.

Costelow landed his third penalty in the 67th minute before Scarlets’ replacement second row Harvey Cuckson was sent to the sin-bin, but the Warriors could not make their extra man count in the final nine minutes and slipped to their second defeat of the season.