Connacht achieved a much-needed 16-12 victory over Cardiff at Arms Park on Saturday, with Ray Leelow sent off early in the game.
Leelow was given his marching orders by Italian referee Andrea Piardi after just 15 minutes following a dangerous and high challenge on Connacht winger Shane Bolton.
There was still a mountain to climb in the Welsh region, but they led until the final quarter, when Connacht came back from the dead and took four vital URC points.
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Fly-half JJ Hanrahan was the driving force behind Connacht's victory, taking three penalties and scoring a try for replacement prop Peter Dooley.
Cardiff outscored Connacht in tries, with touchdowns from center Ben Thomas and No. 8 Lopeti Timani and a conversion from fly-half Tinus de Beer, but Connacht's points were enough.
Cardiff were given a boost by the release of Wales squad members Mackenzie Martin and Seb Davies from their international commitments for the match. The match began with the club paying tribute to former Wales international and British and Irish Lions flyhalf Barry John.
His famous halfback partner Sir Gareth Edwards led an emotional ceremony in front of John's family and many former club and international colleagues, placing the Cardiff shirt next to John's boots. I placed it on a pedestal.
Connacht took the lead in the fourth minute with Hanrahan's penalty, but Leelow was sent off and things looked gloomy for Cardiff.
But a red card left Cardiff reeling, with Thomas scoring a superb try and De Beer scoring, but Timani was given a yellow card for a high tackle and at one point they were down to 13 men at the end of the first half.
Connacht knew they needed to take advantage of their numerical advantage but were restricted to Hanrahan's second penalty as Cardiff claimed a 7-6 interval lead.
The visitors were unable to erase their deficit and Timani returned to the pitch to finish off a powerful lineout drive with a cross to score Cardiff's second try.
Sardin Kok Lee Lo 🟥
Ray Lee Law and 14 years old, Kardid Law come see me.
“I don't see any mitigation because this is a very dangerous level and he could be at a lower level. It's a red card.”
🔵⚫v🟢
📺 @S4C
🔴English explanation #BKTURC | @CardiffRugby pic.twitter.com/BhcPT8wErK— S4C Rygbi (@S4CRygbi) February 17, 2024
Cardiff's outstanding defending continued to dominate the game, but Connacht's patience and control finally paid off with their opening try after 62 minutes.
Cardiff initially kept the Connacht forwards at bay, but after relentless pressure they were unable to stop Dooley from going over, and Hanrahan's conversion put Connacht ahead.
Hanrahan then took the penalty, giving Cardiff a point of no return as Connacht secured just their second away win of the season.
team
Cardiff: 15 Jacob Beetham, 14 Owen Lane, 13 Ray Lee Law, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Aled Summerhill, 10 Tinas de Beer, 9 Ellis Bevan, 8 Lopeti Timani, 7 Thomas Young, 6 Ben Donnell, 5 Seb Davies, 4 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 3 Will Davies-King, 2 Liam Belcher, 1 Reece Carre
Replacement: 16 Efan Daniel, 17 Reece Barratt, 18 Ciaran Parker, 19 Alan Lawrence, 20 Mackenzie Martin, 21 Jamie Hill, 22 Arwel Robson, 23 Willis Haraholo
Connaht: 15 Tiernan O'Halloran, 14 Shane Bolton, 13 David Hawkshaw, 12 Cathal Ford, 11 Andrew Smith, 10 JJ Hanrahan, 9 Kaolin Blade (c), 8 Cian Prendergast, 7 Connor Oliver, 6 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 5 Joe Joyce, 4 Niall Murray, 3 Jacques Angier, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Dennis Buckley
Replacement: 16 Tad McElroy, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Sam Illo, 19 Oisin Dowling, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Michael McDonald, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Tom Farrell
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referee: Craig Evans (Wales), Gwyn Morris (Wales)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Italy)
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