Connacht are having a fine season under coach Michael Bradley

Connacht 42-19 Borders

Connacht continued their great run of form with a convincing victory over Borders in their Celtic League tie in Galway on Saturday.

The Irishmen have had a fantastic start to the season under new coach Michael Bradley, winning four out of their previous five games so far this campaign.

They raced into a 14-0 lead inside the first minutes at the Sportsgrounds.

The first try came after just five minutes when, after keeping possession through at least six phases, Mark McHugh fed Matt Mostyn on the wing for a score in the corner converted by Eric Elwood.

Former Ireland fly-half Elwood repeated the task 12 minutes later when he converted Paul Neville's try as Connacht took control.

Borders quickly gathered their composure, however, as centre Kevin Utterson got the Scots up and running with a 21st-minute try.

The visitors were right back in the game eight minutes later when flanker Andy Rennick crashed over the line, Gareth Morton's second conversion of the match bringing the scores level at 14-14.

Bonus point

An Elwood penalty restored the Connacht lead and just before half-time flanker Neville increased the Irish side's advantage further with his second try of the opening period.

Elwood converted yet again and Connacht went in at the break defending a 24-14 interval lead.

There was no respite for Borders at the restart, however, as Bradley's side came out of the blocks in impressive fashion.

Firstly they put together another fine move which was finished off by back rower Tom Carter, earning Connacht a bonus point for their fourth try of the match.

Elwood successfully converted and added a penalty five minutes later as Connacht moved into a 31-14 lead.

Full-back McHugh took over the kicking with a penalty just after the hour but Borders managed a response moments later when Morton ran in for a try in the corner.

Connacht made sure they were by running down the clock in the Borders half, lock Andrew Farley scoring the fifth try to cap off an excellent display.

Borders: Gareth Morton, Craig Moir, Jono Stuart, Kevin Utterson, Cammie Murray, Gary Armstrong, Clark Laidlaw, Kelvin Todd, Stevie Scott, Craig Dunlea, Scott MacLeod, Colin Stewart, Andy Rennick, Dan Kane, Campbell Feather.
Replacements: Matt Landels, Geoff Cross, Doddie Weir, Tony Walker, Chris Cusiter, Iain Fairley, Calum MacRae.