Scarlets stun Connacht

Wales international comes off the bench, inspires late comeback

Last updated: 9th January 2009

Jones: Left Connacht feeling sick at the final whistle

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Connacht were left feeling sick after Stephen Jones defied a stomach bug to see the Scarlets to victory at the Sportsground.

The Wales fly-half had only trained on Thursday but came off the bench to grab the match-winning try, which he also converted, with six minutes to play.

Deacon Manu had crossed for the Scarlets' first try on the hour mark to start a remarkable turnaround in the Magners League clash.

Up until then bottom club Connacht had looked in control, fly-half Ian Keatley scoring all their points as they built up a 14-3 lead.

Clever dummy

Outshining opposite number Rhys Priestland, Keatley grabbed the home team's only try when a clever dummy sent him scampering to the line after 46 minutes.

The Ireland 'A' international also kicked two penalties and a drop goal but crucially failed to land three other shots at goal, including his sole conversion attempt.

The misses didn't seem to be costly when full-back Gavin Duffy's fine break, followed up by a good carry forward from Mike McCarthy, set up Keatley at the start of the second half.

Connacht had already led 6-3 at the break, two penalties putting them ahead after Priestland had broken the deadlock with three early points.

Turnaround

Keatley's drop goal extended the advantage into double figures but the game was turned on its head when Jones was introduced into the action.

Costly errors from Frank Murphy and McCarthy led to prop Manu muscling his way over after a catch and drive from a lineout.

Jones slotted over the extras and then put his side ahead for the first time since the third minute when he managed to get over the line.

His conversion meant there were three points between the sides, Connacht missing the chance to draw level when Keatley missed a subsequent penalty and Duffy's drop goal attempt sailed wide.