Celtic League/Connacht 22 N-G Dragons 7:Connacht disposed of the Dragons with a workmanlike performance to open their Magners Celtic League with a deserved victory yesterday.

In doing so they maintained their unbeaten opening Celtic League record, and continued their home dominance of the Welsh side.

Despite a shaky start, Connacht took control for long periods, asserting themselves at the breakdown and confident in the set piece.

Although they scored only a single try, outhalf Tim Donnelly kicked four first-half penalties and a conversion to put them on the road to victory. Connacht grabbed the initiative on 21 minutes after the Dragons were penalised at the breakdown, and, from then on, the home outfit took charge.

Connacht won the battle on the floor, and, allied to some sustained passages of play and some astute kicking from scrumhalf Conor McPhillips, celebrating his 100th cap, they never looked in trouble.

SCORING SEQUENCE: 4 mins: Donnelly pen 3-0; 7: Thomas try, McCarthy con 3-7; 21: Donnelly pen 6-7; 24: Morris try, Donnelly con 13-7; 31: Donnelly pen 16-7; 35: Donnelly pen 19-7. Half-time 19-7; 83: Donnelly drop goal 22-7.

CONNACHT: P Durcan; O Treviranus, M Deane, A Wynne, D Yapp; T Donnelly, C McPhillips; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Morris, M Swift, A Farley (capt), R Ofisa, J O'Connor, J Muldoon. Replacements: D Gannon for Farley (h-t), C Rigney for Muldoon (h-t), J Ronan Loughney for Morris (51), M McCarthy for O'Connor (51), J Fogarty for Flavin (59), C O'Loughlin for McPhillips (68).

N-G DRAGONS: M Thomas; G Wyatt, R Gomer-Davies, A Smith, R Mustoe; G McCarthy, A Williams; A Black, S Jones, R Thomas, A Hall (capt), P Sidoli, J Ringer, R Parks, J Bearman. Replacements: L Charteris for Hall, W Evans for Williams (59), H Gustafson (59), D Lydiate for Black, D Daly for S Jones (73), N Fitisemanu for Bearman (75).

Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU).