It was a dream URC debut for Connacht’s Cathal Forde as the youngster’s two tries helped the western province to a BP, 24-12 win against Cell C Sharks.

In scrappy, typically Irish conditions, it was quite the contrast of climates for the South African visitors to adjust to.

With both sides error-strewn in the first quarter, referee Adam Jones, shortly before the first score, could be heard, exasperated, telling the players “We need more momentum in the game”.

Home flanker Conor Oliver heeded his words and opened the scoring when he was at the base of Connacht’s first well-executed attacking lineout.  Shane Delahunt accurate with the throw, the pack rampant and Oliver was rewarded for his physical start.  Jack Carty missed the conversion from wide.

Just like buses, the second try arrived four minutes later.  It was delightfully crafted by Mack Hansen’s defence-splitting chip, read, and plucked from the air perfectly by Tom Farrell who had the awareness to find the foraging Forde.  A memorable first try for the centre, Carty converting for a 12-0 lead.

Full back Tiernan O’Halloran scored Connacht’s first try, the full-back putting the finishing touch on a move made by the forward's carries.  Carty added the extras to leave it 19-0 at halftime.

Despite losing Delahunt for collapsing the maul, Connacht withheld an early barrage from Sharks.  A knock-on from Farrell saw a disallowed try for Carty but Forde soon got his second try when he charged down fly half, Nevaldo Fleurs botched kick. 

Sharks, to their credit, kept coming at a worryingly casual Connacht defence and were rewarded with their first points on the hour.  Centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg bulldozing beyond Kieran Marmion on the line and Lionel Cronje landed a terrific kick to make it 24-7.

Replacement hooker, Kieron van Vurren, had a try controversially disallowed which would have made the Sportsground sweat on the result. 

Finishing with a flourish though, the South Africans had another try to cheer when subsite prop, Dian Bleuler, barged across after concerted pressure.

It’s now back to European action for both teams who boast two wins from two and who both have positives, and negatives, to take from tonight’s encounter.