DHL Stormers 34
Connacht 29
Connacht lost a glorious opportunity to take a precious URC win in South Africa.
Having done all the hard work to take the lead over hosts DHL Stormers, and with only minutes left on the clock, Connacht were then denied that winning try when, on review, it revealed a previous obstruction in the build-up.
It was a cruel end to the game for Irish outfit, who had fought all the way and never wavered, despite missing a host of key players.
The only consolation for interim head coach Cullie Tucker is this performance was one of real grit one, which should have lifted them into the top eight had that try stood.
Connacht had found themselves just two points behind at the break in a lively and entertaining opening half with eight tries scored - four apiece.
Within three minutes of kick-off the home side had bagged their first try through influential outhalf Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who added the conversion, but just two minutes later Connacht replied after capitalising on a penalty to touch. And with strong carries from Cian Prendergast, Paul Boyle and Dylan Tierney-Martin, Shane Jennings used his speed to deliver, with Jack Carty adding the extras.
As expected the home outfit’s strong pack led their charge, with No 8 Evan Roos powering over from the back of a scrum, but Connacht responded well. Jennings was again influential with another strong run before Conor Oliver touched, again converted by Carty.
However, within two minutes the home side struck again, Feinberg-Mngomezulu once again pulling the strings, and dotting down to open their lead to 21-14. When they added a third with Feinberg-Mnagomezul capitalising a chip ahead, they had stretched the lead to 26-14.
Connacht, however, wrested momentum and control before the break, making it count with two tries within five minutes - Dylan Tierney Martin showed his great leg drive to cross, while the backs put together a well-worked attack before a long pass from O’Connor found Shane Jennings who scored, closing the gap to 26-24 at the break.
The home side, however, capitalised on a loose kick to the backfield, and their counterattack was rewarded when right wing Suleimnan Hartzenburg made the line to extend their lead.
Connacht soaked up considerable pressure with Heffernan, Cian Prendergast and Conor Oliver keeping the home side at bay before gaining control. However, against a resolute defence, it was not until the 66th minute they delivered and it was a superb try through Josh Murphy who closed the gap to 31-29, the conversion hitting the upright.
The hosts extended the lead to 34-29 with a penalty, and thereafter Connacht carved a host of chances, but were unable to convert despite taking control. And when it looked like Connacht had delivered a deserved victory when replacement Santiago Cordero touched down, the TMO ruled a previous obstruction, denying what would have been a well-deserved away win.
It was a harsh conclusion for the visitors, who will regret a couple of missed chances, but delivered a display of doggedness.
Scoring sequence: 2m Try Feinberg-Mngomezulu pen and con 7-0; 6m Jennings try Carty con 7-7; 13m Roos try, Feinberg-Mngomezulu con 14-7; 16m Oliver try, Carty con 14-14; 18m Feinberg-Mngomezulu try and con 21-14; 25m Feinberg-Mngomezulu try 26-14; 35m Tierney Martin try 26-19; 40m Jennings try 26-24. HT 26-24. 47m Hartzenberg try 31-24; 65m Murphy try 31-29; 71m Feinberg-Mngomezulu penalty 34-29.
DHL Stormers: W Gelant, S Hartzenberg, D du Plessis, D Willemse, S Senatla, S Feinberg-Mngomezulu, S Ungerer, A Vermaak, AH Venter, S Sandi, S Moerat (capt ), R van Heerden, P de Villiers, M Theunissen, E Roos. Replacements: JJ Kotze, V Matongo, B Harris for Sandi (44-54M ), JJ Kotze for Venter (62 ), V Matongo for for Vermack (62 ), L Nel for Theunissen (62 ), D Fourie for De Villiers 63 ), P de Wet for Ungerer (68m ).
Connacht: P O’Conor, C Mullins, D Hawkshaw, C Forde, S Jennings, J Carty, B Murphy, P Dooley, D Tierney-Martin, F Bealham, O Dowling, D Murray, C Prendergast (capt ), C Oliver, P Boyle. Replacements: D Heffernan for Tierney-Martin (50m ), J Duggan for Dooley (54 ), M Devine for Murphy (58m )and S Jansen for Boyle (58 ), J Joyce for Dowling (64 ), Aungier for Bealham (66 ), S Cordero for Mullins (71 ), J Joyce for Dowling (64 ).
Referee: Sam Grove-White.
