Connacht survive Zebre comeback in Parma try-fest

Connacht ran in nine tries in a topsy-turvy BTK URC victory away to Zebre Parma.

A hat-trick by Dylan Tierney-Martin helped the visitors into an 18-point half-time lead, which was extended to 25 just a few minutes after the break.

But the Italian side, bottom of the table, fought back to within four points before Andy Friend's side sealed the win with two late tries.

Connacht welcomed back Caolin Blade and Cian Prendergast from Irish camp and were well in control in the opening phases.

Hooker Tierney-Martin was on hand to score three carbon copy tries, each from lineout mauls after repeated infringementS from the Italian side, inside of 26 minutes.

When Tiernan O'Halloran ran in for a bonus-point try in the 30th minute it appeared to be plain sailing.

But in what was to become a theme of the match, Zebre, without single win this season, managed to hit back straight away as Connacht failed to deal with their restarts.

Winger Simone Gesi dived in the 33rd minute and, along with eight points from the boot of Tiff Eden, Zebre stayed in the game.

Either side of the break Connacht, through scrum-half Blade and wing Diarmuid Kilgallen touched down with Jack Carty, who ended up with 18 points, converting both to give the visitors a healthy-looking 38-13 lead.

However, the next 15 minutes belonged to Zebre, who scored three converted tries from Erich Cronje, Joshua Furno and Gesi.

The hosts, at 38-34 down, looked the more likely for a spell but their basics at the lineout let them down repeatedly and two excellent turnover penalties by Jarrad Butler took the sting out of the comeback.

Replacement Adam Byrne got the crucial try with eight minutes to play before Kieran Marmion and debutant Eoin de Buitléar touched down to embellish the