“Winning the title is still an option, but it’s not an easy path,” coach Dai Young said after Aussie centre Stcherbina changed the game with two second-half scores. “I believe we have to win every game to get our hands on the title, but it’s not something that is beyond us. It’s a cliche, but we’ll just take one game at a time.”
The powerful right boot of Connacht fly-half Mark McHugh opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a well-struck penalty goal, but it wasn’t long before opposite number Nick Macleod replied in kind after two strong surges from former All Black Xavier Rush. McHugh (three) and Macleod (two) traded penalty goals as the first half ended with Connacht ahead 12-9, but the Blues emerged from the break with renewed vigour.
Stcherbina jinked through three defenders to score near the posts and Macleod, who made the scoring pass after a couple of jinks of his own, added the extras. Quick hands from the ever-improving Blues backline gave Lions prop Gethin Jenkins a rare try, and Macleod gave his side some much-needed breathing space with a sideline conversion.
Connacht’s replacement scrum-half Tom Tierney was binned for a professional foul, and Stcherbina secured the victory with his second try.
Blues:
Tries – M Stcherbina 2, G Jenkins
Pens – N Macleod 3
Cons – N Macleod 3
Connacht:
Pens – M McHugh 4
Halftime: Connacht 12-9
Yellow Card: T Tierney (Connacht)
