Sunday wrap: Connacht impress in Perpignan

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SUNDAY WRAP: Connacht dug deep to produce a five-tries-to-two win in Perpignan which keeps them firmly on course for a place in the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup.

Pete Wilkins' side are now the only side in the competition with maximum points after two games and will hope to secure a home knockout spot in January when they host Lyon and travel to Cardiff for their remaining pool games.

It was clear from the get-go that Irish outfit Connacht were keen to showcase their power, with Byron Ralston the first to get his name on the scoresheet in six minutes.

Eoin de Buitelear joined in the festivities to give the visitors real breathing space just minutes later before Lorencio Boyer-Gallardo got one back for the hosts just before the 20-minute mark.

Chay Mullins then finished off an impressive first half as the winger breached the USAP back-line.

Perpignan hit back after the restart with a penalty from Aucagne being followed by a try from winger Jefferson Joseph as Connacht was punished for a series of penalties. Aucagne converted from the right touchline to cut the gap to 19-18 after 52 minutes.

But Connacht responded well and the experienced Paul Boyle got over for the bonus point after 58 minutes after several drives, with the TMO ruling it wasn't a double movement as the Wexford man, who scored twice last week, stretched to score. Carty pushed the lead out to eight with the conversion and that was crucial as Perpignan finished strongly.

However, Connacht defended superbly and countered from deep through Cordero and Hawkshaw, and after Murray took another lineout, they got the drive, and replacement hooker Adam McBurney crowned his debut with their fifth try.

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Dwayne Peel's Scarlets ran out 36-18 victors in the Challenge Cup clash against Black Lion on Sunday.

Ahead after just two minutes through Gareth Davies, this set the tone for a high-scoring first 40.

Two Luka Matkava penalties shortly after brought Black Lion back to within one point before the Welsh side found their scoring form once again.

Josh Macleod on 16 minutes before Johnny Williams one 28 gave the hosts a commanding lead before the Georgians got one back before heading into the changing rooms through the hands of Luka Ivanishvili.

A red card for Lado Chachanidze in the opening minute of the second half set the tone for the rest of the encounter, making it uphill work for the Georgians.

Josh Macleod instantly made the extra man count with a try in the 42nd minute.

Mikheil Babunashivili grabbed one back for the visitors on the hour mark but it was too little, too late for Black Lion, who saw the points difference get yet larger when Archie Hughes got another for the hosts two minutes before time.

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All the scores and scorers for Sunday's games:

Perpignan 18-31 Connacht

For Perpignan:
Tries: Gallardo, Jefferson Lee
Cons: Aucagne
Pens: Aucagne 2

For Connacht:
Tries: Ralston, De Buitlear, Mullins, Boyle, McBurney
Cons: Carty 3

Teams

Perpignan: 15. Ali Crossdale, 14. Jefferson Joseph, 13. Riko Buliruarua, 12. Apisai Naqalevu, 11. Maxim Granell, 10. Antoine Aucagne, 9. James Hall, 8. Andro Dvali, 7. Max Hicks, 6. Noe Della Schiava, 5. Adrien Warion, 4. Alessandro Ortombina, 3. Nemo Roelofse, 2. Seilala Lam (captain), 1. Lorencio Boyer-Gallardo
Replacements: 16. Victor Montgaillard, 17. Johan Barcenilla D'Onghia, 18. Kieran Brookes, 19. Bastien Chinarro, 20. So'otala Fa'aso'o, 21. Gela Aprasidze, 22. Tommaso Allan, 23. Freddy Duguivalu

Connacht: 15. Santiago Cordero, 14. Chay Mullins, 13. Byron Ralston, 12. Cathal Forde, 11. Andrew Smith, 10. Jack Carty, 9. Matthew Devine, 8. Sean O'Brien, 7. Shamus Hurley-Langton, 6. Cian Prendergast (captain), 5. Joe Joyce, 4. Darragh Murray, 3. Sam Illo, 2. Eoin de Buitlear, 1. Denis Buckley
Replacements: 16. Adam McBurney, 17. Jordan Duggan, 18. Jack Aungier, 19. Oisin Dowling, 20. Paul Boyle, 21. Ben Murphy, 22. David Hawkshaw, 23. Conor Oliver

Referee: Sara Cox
Assistant referees: Harry Walbaum, Gareth Holsgrove
TMO: Dan Jones

Scarlets 36-18 Black Lion

For Scarlets:
Tries: G Davies, Macleod 2, Williams, Hughes
Cons: Costelow 4
Pens: Costelow

For Black Lion:
Tries: Ivanishvili, Babunashvili
Cons: Tsirekidze
Pens: Matkava 2

Teams:

Scarlets: 15. Ioan Nicholas, 14. Tom Rogers, 13. Joe Roberts, 12. Johnny Williams, 11. Ellis Mee, 10. Sam Costelow, 9. Gareth Davies, 8. Vaea Fifita, 7. Josh Macleod (captain), 6. Taine Plumtree, 5. Sam Lousi, 4. Max Douglas, 3. Henry Thomas, 2. Marnus van der Merwe, 1. Kemsley Mathias
Replacements: 16. Shaun Evans, 17. Alec Hepburn, 18. Archer Holz, 19. Alex Craig, 20. Jarrod Taylor, 21. Archie Hughes, 22. Ioan Lloyd, 23. Eddie James

Black Lion: 15. Luka Tsirekidze, 14. Akaki Tabutsadze, 13. Demi Tapladze, 12. Tornike Kakhoidze, 11. Amiran Shvangiradze, 10. Luka Matkava (captain), 9. Tengiz Peranidze, 8. Luka Ivanishvili (captain), 7. Giorgi Tsutskiridze, 6. Sandro Mamamtavrishvili, 5. Mikheil Babunashvili, 4. Lado Chachanidze, 3. Giorgi Chkhartishvili, 2. Irakli Kvatadze, 1. Vasil Kakovin
Replacements: 16. Tengiz Zamtaradze, 17. Dato Abdushelishvili, 18. Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19. Demuri Epremidze, 20. Giorgi Sinauridze, 21. Davit Khuroshvili, 22. Ioane Metreveli, 23. Sandro Todua

Referee: Kevin Bralley
Assistant referees: Jonathan Gasnier, Flavien Hourquet
TMO: Cedric Marchat

Source @EPCR