Connacht register bonus-point win over Sharks

United Rugby Championship

Connacht 44 (23)

Tries: Boyle, Mullins, Gavin, Devine, IIIo Cons: Naughton 5 Pens: Naughton 3

Sharks 17 (5)

Tries: Mbatha, Mapimpi, van Heerden Cons: Hendrikse Sin bin: Jenkins

Connacht ended their three-game losing streak in the United Rugby Championship by beating Sharks 44-17 at Dexcom Stadium.

Fez Mbatha scored the first try of the night for the away side, but three penalties from Sean Naughton and tries from Paul Boyle and Chay Mullins gave the hosts a comfortable 23-5 lead at the break.

After both sides scored tries mid-way through the second half, the hosts secured the bonus point on 72 minutes and saw out the dominant victory.

The win is Connacht's first victory since the opening game of the season against Benetton and means the away side's wait for their second win of the URC season continues.

Comfortable Connacht win at home

Naughton's penalty gave Connacht the lead after seven minutes before the Sharks went ahead thanks to Mbatha's try, but George Whitehead failed to add the extra two.

However, the home side responded well with captain Boyle going over after nice build-up play in the Sharks 22 with Naughton nailing a tricky conversion.

Another Naughton penalty put Connacht further ahead and the Sharks were then reduced to 14 when Jason Jenkins was penalised.

Connacht started to dominate as the half went on with Mullins' try in the corner, also converted by Naughton, and a third penalty from the out-half giving them breathing room at the break.

Despite missing key players and Ireland internationals Cian Prendergast, Caolin Blade and Mack Hansen due to injury and making a few changes early in the second half, Stuart Lancaster's side continued to dominate after the restart.

Hugh Gavin crossed under the posts and Naughton converted to further extend the home side's lead.

A converted try by Makazole Mapimpi did slightly reduce the deficit, but Matthew Devine sealed the bonus point shortly after with his try surviving a television match official (TMO) check.

The energetic and physical nature of the game continued to the end with Emile van Heerden and Sam IIIo exchanging late tries.

Line-ups

Connacht: Naughton; Mullins, Gavin, Forde, Bolton; Ioane, B Murphy; Duggan, Heffernan, Aungier, D Murray, N Murray; J Murphy, Boyle (capt), Jansen.

Replacements: de Buitlear, Buckley, Illo, O'Connor, O'Brien, Devine, Aki, Gilbert.

Sharks: Jo Hendrikse; van der Merwe, Julius, Venter, Mapimpi; Whitehead, Ja Hendrikse; E Tshituka, V Tshituka (capt), Romao, Orie, Jenkins, Jacobs, Ganyane, Mbatha.

Replacements: Swart, Mazibuko, Mdanda, van Heerden, Buthelezi, Williams, Malan, Kunene.