Celtic League/ Connacht 31; Glasgow 15: Connacht may be the poor relations of other Celtic League teams in that they cannot qualify directly for the Heineken European Cup, but on Saturday in Galway they still began the season in the same fashion as last year with a resounding victory, albeit against a poor Glasgow.
They tacked on the bonus point for good measure. Coach Michael Bradley could not have asked for much more.
If Connacht are to grace the top tier of European rugby they must finish at the business end of the Celtic League table and overcome Italian opposition in a play-off. And yet, devoid of star names, they continually hold their own as this league enters its fourth season.
"Very happy with it," said Bradley. "We worked hard for the 10 weeks coming into the game but playing at home it was important to get a good start. We've Welsh sides and Munster away from home ahead so we had earmarked the home games to get something out of.
"It was the first game of the season for both sides. There were too many mistakes from an efficiency point of view but we did a lot of good things and a lot of things we wouldn't be happy with. We scored a try coming in to the end of the first half and then tried to run the ball out of our own 22 only to turn it over for them."
Matt Mostyn was the guilty party as Kenny Logan capitalised upon his fresh-air pass. Conor McPhilips caught the aging Scottish international winger with a try-saving tackle but Logan hugged the right touchline and two phases later cantered over unopposed. It meant Connacht led by just six points at the break, 14-8.
That aside, Bradley was pleased with a defensive effort that showed all the hallmarks of the pre-season sessions with Mike Ford. Many times Glasgow set up camp in the Westerners' 22 only for the line to hold firm, although sloppy Scottish hands also played their part.
Connacht got the ideal first-half platform with tries from Matt Lacey and Australian outhalf Paul Warwick. The former Wallaby sevens captain converted both in a ropy competitive debut that will surely leave the door open for Eric Elwood to reclaim the number 10 shirt.
The manner of victory is even more commendable when one considers the development province must continually combat against the head-hunting of their talent.
The other half-back acquisition, Ireland international Tom Tierney, produced a steady display at scrumhalf, while an inexperienced back row showed their potential. In particular, flanker Lacey was a constant menace at the breakdown.
However, it was Leinster's exiled centre James Downey who most exuded quality.
Unfortunately, he will not be available for some weeks after damaging his shoulder late on.
It mattered little as Connacht were cruising (24-15) thanks to a third try from the atoning Mostyn two minutes into the second half. It came following a Downey break up the middle and a well-timed offload.
This left Connacht hunting a bonus point but Glasgow kept it interesting, with Dan Parks finding a gap to the line after replacement Graham Morrison finally brought some impetus to their static back play.
Connacht came again and six minutes from time John Muldoon, back from the sin-bin, was driven over after the umpteenth rolling maul exploited the soft underbelly of their opponents' pack.
Elwood, in for Warwick, added the extras to complete a comfortable opening day as Connacht again go in chase of the near-impossible dream.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 7 mins: M Lacey try, P Warwick con, 7-0; 16: D Parks pen, 7-3; 36: Warwick try and con, 14-3; 40: K Logan try, 14-8. Half-time: 14-8. 42: M Mostyn try, Warwick con, 21-8; 61: Parks try and con, 21-15; 70: Warwick pen, 24-15; 74: J Muldoon try, E Elwood con, 31-15.
CONNACHT: D Slemen; T Robinson, M Mostyn, J Downey, C McPhilips; P Warwick, T Tierney; A Clarke, J Fogarty, P Bracken, C Short, A Farley (capt), J Muldoon, M Lacey, J O'Sullivan. Replacements: M Carroll for O'Sullivan (35-40 mins); S Knoop for Bracken (64-77 mins); C O'Loughlin for Tierney, E Elwood for Warwick (both 70 mins); N O'Brien for Downey (72 mins); H Bourke for Fogarty, P Neville for Muldoon (both 75 mins).
GLASGOW: R Kerr; S Lamont, A Henderson, S Barrow, K Logan; D Parks, S Pinder; K Tkachuk, G Bulloch, L Harrison, J Beardshaw, A Hall, P Dearlove, D Macfadyen, J Petrie (capt). Replacements: A Kelly for Harrison (53 mins); G Morrison for Barrow (57 mins); D Turner for Beardshaw (68 mins); G Beveridge for Pinder, C Howarth for Parks (both 73 mins).
Referee: P Fear (Wales).
