| Heineken Cup final - spoiler [message #1036275] |
Sat, 20 May 2006 19:08 |
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What a day! Munster beat Biarritz 23-19 in a pulsating final, only
partly marred by a blind English touch judge who allowed a try to stand
to Biarritz when Bobo clearly had at least one (and really two) feet in
touch. Atmosphere second to none - 50,000 Munstermen in the Millenium
Stadium, tens of thousands more packing the streets of Limerick.
Biarritz started at a blinding pace and caught Munster on the back foot.
They were 7 pts down in the third minute to THAT try, but Munster came
back and O'Gara kicked a penalty. Both kickers (Yachvili for BO) were
faultless on the day. The Munster worked a superb try by Halstead after
phase after phase of surging play - a quick change of direction
wrongfooted the BO defence, and opened up the narrow left side for
Halstead to bull his way over. O'Gara converted, 10-7. Yachvilli kicked
another penalty, 10-10, and then a scrum half deemed incapable of
running, Peter Stringer, undressed Bentsen at a set scrum to go in
untouched on the blind side. Stringer had a marvellous afternoon,
constantly harassing BO, and was made Man of the Match. O'Gara kicked,
17-10. Another O'Gara penalty before the break to make it 20-10.
Biarritz started the second half strongly and were rewarded with three
penalties to bring it back to 20-19. They spoiled the Munster lineout
very effectively, and competed well for the loose ball. They looked the
stronger side at this point. Munster brought on Quinlan for Foley and
O'Driscoll for O'Connell, and seemed to steel themselves for the last
ten minutes. O'Gara kicked a vital penalty to make it 23-19, and take
away the penalty/drop goal option for BO. The crowd rose behind Munster
at every stoppge, and the noise level was truly amazing. In the end the
Munster defence held out, and they turned the ball over to close out the
game and take the trophy they had come so close to winning twice before.
In the end, the right result, although all credit to BO, who played hard
and much more open Rugby than in their previous games. But in the end,
the HC seemed to be Munster's destiny, and the celebrations at the end
were something to see. Great game, great result - and for sure a greater
party to follow.
William Clark
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