The Ulster Ravens ran in five converted tries in a very competitive fixture at Deramore Park.
The opening exchanges were fairly tense with both sets of half backs testing the back three under the high ball.
The Ravens created the first opportunity to score in the 15th minute, a wide ball from Chris Farrell created room for Ricky Andrew and he did well to force an opening and kick the ball towards the Connacht line. Peter Nelson was on his outside and the Dungannon man showed great pace to get past the visitors cover and dive on the ball to score. Stuart Olding added the extras from the touchline to give the Ravens a 7-point advantage.
The game remained very competitive with Connacht finally getting on the score sheet when Jack Carty converted a penalty goal in the 30th minute.
As the game headed into the final 10 minutes of the first half the home side had two clear chances to score, but determined last ditch defence from the Eagles kept their line secure.
In injury time referee David Wilkinson yellow carded Ravens prop Kyle McCall for pulling down a maul following a catch and drive, but Carty’s effort drifted wide of the mark to leave the Ravens with a narrow 7-3 lead at half time.
The home side made the perfect start to the second half, with just two minutes played, Nick Williams set off on a charge near the halfway time and made good ground before giving a superb off-load to Mike McComish. The Ravens flanker continued the attack with Ricky Lutton setting up quick ruck ball for Paul Marshall to fire wide, where the Ulster backs had a clear overlap allowing Michael Allen to cross for what was a wonderful team try. Olding was once again on target with his conversion to put the home side 14-3 clear.
The Ravens infringed at a scrum in the 53rd minute but once again Carty’s kick missed the target.
The home side attacked once more in the 58th minute with Michael Allen and Chris Farrell making good ground to within metres of the Eagles line. Marshall found flanker Conor Joyce with a snappy pass and he smashed his way over for the third Ravens try. Olding was on target again to increase the Ravens tally to 21 points.
With 15 minutes remaining Neil Doak made a number of replacements.
Only on the pitch for a matter of minutes, replacement hooker Paul Jackson made the most of his time off the bench when he smashed his way over from close range for the fourth Ravens try in the 74th minute, Olding converting to take the home side 28-3 clear.
Mike McComish was yellow carded in the 75th minute for a ruck infringement, leaving Connacht with an extra man for the remainder of the game. The penalty was kicked into the corner from where the Eagles attacked in earnest for the first time, sending flanker Eoghan Masterson over for a try just right of the posts. Carty added the extras to bring the visitors tally to 10 points with 76 minutes played.
In the 78th minute Michael Allen had the final say in the game when he picked up a loose ball near the halfway line, and sprinted clear to dive in under the posts to score his second and the Ravens fifth try. Olding added the extras to take the Ravens 35-10 clear.
In the final play of the game Stuart Olding twisted his right knee and while he received attention from the physio, the referee blew for full time, the Ravens convincing winners 35-10.
Dean McAllister presents the CD Group 'Man Of The Match Award' to Sean Doyle.
Ulster Ravens : 15 Ricky Andrew, 14 David McIlwaine, 13 Michael Allen, 12 Chris Farrell, 11 Peter Nelson, 10 Stuart Olding, 9 Paul Marshall, 8 Nick Williams,7 Sean Doyle, 6 Mike McComish, 5 Robbie Diack, 4 Lewis Stevenson (Capt), 3 Ricky Lutton, 2 Niall Annett, 1 Kyle McCall.
Replacements
16 Paul Jackson, 17 Callum Black, 18 Adam Macklin, 19 Lorcan Dow, 20 Connor Joyce, 21 David Shanahan, 22 James McKinney, 23 Stuart McCloskey.
Connacht Eagles : 15 Darragh Leader, 14 Fionn Carr, 13 Eoin Griffin, 12 Dave McSharry, 11 Tiernan O’Halloran, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Frank Murphy, 1 Ronan Loughney, 2 Dave Heffernan, 3 Nathan White, 4 Dave Nolan, 5 Mick Kearney, 6 Aly Muldowney, 7 Eoghan Masterson, 8 Mata Fi’fita.
Replacements
16 James Rael, 17 Denis Buckley, 18 JP Cooney, 19 Danny Qualter, 20 James Connolly, 21 Paul O’Donohue, 22 Conor Finn, 23 Shane Layden.