Southern Kings outgunned by Connacht in #PRO14

CONNACHT – The Southern Kings lost 32-10 to Connacht in a PRO14 game in Galway on Saturday night.

The Port Elizabeth team was outclassed by Ireland’s weakest team on Saturday night in the follow-up to their 57-10 defeat last week against Welsh team Scarlets.

Earlier in the day, the Cheetahs were outclassed 51-18 by Ireland’s Munster.

It was an even start to the game, with neither side gaining an advantage until Kings wing Sbura Sithole was yellow-carded for a professional foul.

Five minutes later, Connacht centre Tom Farell scored from close quarters after a steady team build-up and flyhalf Jack Carty converted.

The Kings could not impose themselves on the game, and when Carty kicked his team to 10-0 up after 25 minutes, it was a well-deserved lead.

But the visitors soldiered on, and in the 32nd minute, outside centre Berton Klaasen had an easy run into the corner after a solid build-up of phases.

That was about as good as it got for the Kings.

And the fightback was short-lived when Connacht replied almost immediately, replacement centre Eoghan Masterson completing a team try six minutes before halftime, and Carty’s conversion taking the lead out to 17-5.

And a mortal blow was delivered to the visitors a minute after the hooter when lock Ultan Dillane barged over, with the conversion making it a 24-5 halftime lead.

Five minutes into the second half, that lead was extended to 27-5 by a Carty penalty.

But the Kings did not roll over, and when Connacht tighthead prop Finlay Bealham was yellow-carded 13 minutes into the second half, the Kings responded with a movement that brought replacement prop Luvuyo Pupuma within inches of a try that was disallowed by the TMO.

Instead, with 10 minutes to go, Connacht worked right wing Darragh Leader into space for their fourth try, and at 32-5 down, the Kings were in danger of a hiding.

But they had the last say when they scored the final try of the game through Pupuma, which went unconverted.