1st XV Brown Men at Connacht Development (Galway)

Brown played a terrific first half, lost its lead, but recovered late in the match to defeat a young but skilled Connacht Development squad 25-19. Brown’s fitness and teamwork were evident as Brown did not deviate from its game plan. Brown pressure at the end caused the late match penalty kick for the lead and the try which sealed the victory.

Connacht Sports Ground
College Road, Galway

First XV Scoring Summary

First Half
2nd min    try – Brown (Zach Long)    -- Brown 5 - Connacht 0
10th min     try – Brown (Matt Leonard) -- Brown 10 - Connacht 0
15th min    try – Brown (Brent Zajaczkowski) -- Brown 15 - Connacht 0
        conversion (James McGinn)            2 -- Brown 17 - Connacht 0
First Half: Brown 17 - Connacht 0   

Second Half
46th min    converted try - Connacht -- Brown 17 - Connacht 7
51st min    try – Connacht -- Brown 17 - Connacht 12   
59th min    converted try – Connacht -- Brown 17 - Connacht 19
65th min    penalty kick – Brown (James McGinn) -- Brown 20 - Connacht 19
75th min    try – Brown (Ryan Jones) -- Brown 25 - Connacht 19
Second Half: Brown 8 - Connacht 19

Despite the loss of Brown captain Zahid Jethani’13, who injured his shoulder during training in Ireland before this match, Ryan Jones’14 stepped in and played well on tour at the #10 position.

The match looked like a runaway for Brown for the first half as the physically stronger Bears seemed to have their way with Connacht. Brown’s forwards caught and drove a lineout over 30 meters as the match opened and number eight, Zach Long’13 scored the first tour try.

Brown scored twice more in the first 15 minutes. Scrum half Matt Leonard’14 made a break from a ruck, was held, but broke free from the grabbing tackle. The defender ended up with the #9 jersey in his hands and Matt free for a 20 meter try.

Brown’s final points of the first half were from a solid line break by center Dow Travers’12 who fed inside to his supporting center, sending Brent Zajaczkowski’12 over from 10 meters for a try. Wing James McGinn’12 converted for a 17-0 advantage.

Connacht, realizing they were in a match, picked up their defense and began to attack with more purpose. Although the Irish did not score in the first half, Brown also was held scoreless for the next 60 minutes of play.

The second half illustrates the ability of smart teams to adjust to a pattern of attack, turning the tables on Brown, with Connacht scoring three tries, two converted for 19-17 lead. Brown seemed frustrated and fatigued but the Irish lead was a wake up call. Finally, in the 65th minute, Brown pressure caused a Connacht penalty and McGinn’s kick gave the lead back to Brown 20-19.

The match was played mostly at midfield for the rest of the match but with five minutes remaining, lock Landon Turley’12 broke through for 25 meters. His support, fly half Ryan Jones’14 took Turley’s pass and out ran the defense 25 meters to the corner for Browns’ final score to seal the victory.

Referee: Jason Craughwell