Presented By
        Presented By
          Menu

          ESPN

          • scores

          You have reached ESPN's Australian edition. Stay on current site or go to US version.

          • NBA
          • NFL
          • Football
          • NBL
          • AFL
          • NRL
          • Rugby
          • Cricket
          • Olympics
          • More Sports
            • F1
            • NHL
            • MLB
            • World Baseball Classic
            • Golf
            • Tennis
            • NASCAR
            • IndyCar
            • espnW
            • Netball
            • NCAAM
            • WNBA
            • NCAAF
            • NCAAW
            • NCAA
            • Boxing
            • MMA
            • WWE
            • X Games
            • Betting Blog
            • Horse Racing
          • Tipping
          • Listen
          • Disney+
          • Rugby

          • Home
          • Scores
          • Tipping
          • Fantasy Rugby
          • Fixtures & Results
          • Tables
          • RugbyNow
          • Statsguru
          United Rugby Championship 2018
          ConnachtConnachtCON
          22
          24/03FT
          29
          EdinburghEdinburghEDI
          • Tiernan O'Halloran(12')
          • Tom Farrell(17')
          • Finlay Bealham(66')
          • Jack Carty(13', 18')
          • Jack Carty(40')
          • Dougie Fife(1')
          • Duhan van der Merwe(23')
          • Duncan Weir(73')
          • Duncan Weir(74')
          • Jaco van der Walt(8')
          • Duncan Weir(62', 71', 81')
          • SummarySummary
          • ReportReport
          • CommentaryCommentary
          • Match StatsMatch Stats
          • Player StatsPlayer Stats
          • LineupsLineups
          • TableTable

          Historic Dougie Fife try helps Edinburgh to win at Connacht

          Edinburgh edged a close contest at Connacht. Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile via Getty Images
          • PA Sport
          Multiple Authors
          Mar 24, 2018, 08:47 AM
          • Copy Link
          • Email
          • Print

          Dougie Fife scored the fastest try in Guinness PRO14 history as Edinburgh extended their winning streak with a 29-22 defeat of Connacht at the Sportsground.

          The Scots enjoyed a dream start with Fife scoring after just 10 seconds via a charge-down, eclipsing the league's previous quickest try by Nathan Brew for the Dragons, 18 seconds into a game against Cardiff in December 2005.

          Connacht fought back to lead 17-13 at half-time, with Tiernan O'Halloran and Tom Farrell both scoring their fifth tries of the campaign.

          But despite a further score from prop Finlay Bealham, wily replacement Duncan Weir inspired a late win for Edinburgh with 16 points -- including another try from a blocked kick.

          In-form Edinburgh, who were chasing their sixth straight PRO14 victory, stunned the hosts when John Hardie blocked O'Halloran's attempted clearance straight from the kick-off, and winger Fife swooped in ahead of three Connacht players to touch down.

          Jaco van der Walt, who missed the conversion, landed a seventh minute penalty to strengthen the visitors' position, but Connacht soon bounced back with two well-taken converted tries after 11 and 16 minutes.

          Some lovely interplay between Caolin Blade and Eoin McKeon sent full-back O'Halloran cruising through a midfield gap, on a diagonal run straight to the line.

          Jack Carty converted and was then instrumental in their second seven-pointer, his clever run and well-timed pass putting centre Farrell over to the right of the posts.

          Edinburgh hit back past the midpoint of the first half, with the impressive South African winger Duhan van der Merwe afforded too much room by Niyi Adeolokun as he broke up the left touchline to make it 14-13, with Van der Walt's conversion attempt off target.

          Richard Cockerill's men came in search of further tries, but Connacht - and Jarrad Butler and Sean O'Brien in particular -- manned a muscular maul defence, and a late sortie downfield just before half-time saw a Carty penalty put four points between the teams.

          Conditions worsened for the second period with a heavy rain shower, and fly-half Carty won the tactical battle with some clever kicks but missed a penalty after some evasive running from Adeolokun and Matt Healy.

          With Connacht, and Quinn Roux in particular, leaking more penalties, Weir broke the deadlock with a 61st minute penalty, but the Irish province bounced back again with a try, centre Farrell's leg-pumping charge getting them into range before Bealham burrowed over in the 71st minute.

          However, Carty's replacement Ronaldson pushed the conversion wide and then blundered when his kick on halfway was blocked by Weir who dribbled through and scored to the right of the posts, although there were some question marks over the grounding.

          The influential stand-off tagged on the extras and added a final penalty to complete his decisive 16-point contribution in just 19 minutes.

          • Terms of Use
          • Privacy Policy
          • Your US State Privacy Rights
          • Children's Online Privacy Policy
          • Interest-Based Ads
          • About Nielsen Measurement
          • Your Privacy Choices
          • Contact Us
          • Disney Ad Sales Site
          • Work for ESPN
          • Corrections
          GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Terms: draftkings.com/sportsbook. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL.
          Copyright: © 2026 ESPN Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved.

          Standings

          United Rugby Championship
          RTeamGPPDP
          1GLA18+14165
          2LEI18+14563
          3STO18+16060
          4BUL18+16059
          5MUN18+2055
          6CAR18-1955
          7LIO18+5954
          8CON18+4754
          9ULS18+7452
          10SHA18+3946
          11OSP18-7839
          12EDI18-7738
          13BEN18-16633
          14SCA18-9928
          15DRA18-13128
          16ZEB18-27515
          Full Table