CATHAL FORDE landed a superb penalty to snatch victory at the death for Connacht against Scarlets.
Forde, 23, nailed the winner from the right last night in a game where the lead changed hands five times in an error-strewn affair at Parc y Scarlets.
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Connacht led 21-14 at the end of a chaotic opening half after racing into a 14-0 lead after just 15 minutes.
And they hit the front in the tenth minute when Piers O’Conor pounced on a chip from Jack Carty.
A brilliant 50:22 from O’Conor led to a yellow for Tom Rogers when the Scarlets winger stopped a quick throw.
The visitors availed of the extra man for Carty to chip and Mack Hansen raced in to score.
But Bundee Aki was then binned for a high tackle on Sam Costelow.
And Gareth Davies scored the first of his two tries after the penalty.
On the half-hour mark, Johnny Williams sent Davies in for another converted try. A converted Ben Murphy try then gave Connacht an interval lead.
Two second-half penalties from Costelow and Ioan Lloyd meant there was just one in it.
And Costelow must have thought he won it when he nailed an effort six minutes from time.
But Forde was on hand to claim victory for Pete Wilkins’ men.
SCORERS
Scarlets: Tries, Davies 2; cons, Costelow 2; pens, Costelow 2, Lloyd.
Connacht: Tries, O’Conor, Hansen, Murphy; cons, Carty 3; pen, Forde.
