English clubs push European giants all the way in heroic displays
London Irish and Saracens both gave European Cup giants Toulouse and Munster a run for their money in the weekend’s two Heineken Cup clashes.
On Saturday at Twickenham London Irish met French side Toulouse and gave them a scare before going down 21-15 with the French sides' experience of seven Heineken Cup semi finals helping them through.
A try from the Irish’s winger Topsy Ojo saw them 10-3 ahead after 13 minutes but by the break Toulouse were 15-10 ahead.
The Irish drew level three minutes into the second half with a try from their other wing Sailosi Tagicakibau.
Penalties soon after from Jean Baptiste Ellisalde saw the French side go 21-15 ahead and the final 31 minutes were scoreless as the French side took the win.
On Sunday at the Ricoh Arena, Munster just had too much for Saracens coming through 18-16 in a match that could have gone either way.
Sarries got a dream start with wing Kameli Ratuvou scoring a try with a move that went 80 metres and Glen Jackson converted for the perfect start.
Munster came back in the second quarter with tries from Ronan O’Gara and Alan Quinlan to lead 15-7 at half time.
The English side won the second half with three Jackson penalties to one from O’Gara but fell just short by two points.
For full details click on the match score below
London Irish 15 Toulouse 21
Saracens 16 Munster 18
EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP
The European Challenge Cup final will between Bath and Worcester at Kingsholm on May 25th after the semi finals over the weekend.
On Friday night Worcester were to strong for Newcastle running in four tries and coming through
On Saturday at the Rec Bath made a great start and were 17-3 ahead after ten minutes after tries from scrum half Michael Classens and England flanker Michael Lipman, Ollie Barkley converted and put over a penalty goal.
Sale never recovered form that and the home side were 24-14 ahead at the break.
They scored two more tries in the second half to round off the win.
Worcester always had the edge over Newcastle and led 14-8 at half time, Shane Drahm took them 17-8 ahead with a penalty goal before two tries on 72 and 76 minutes wrapped up the game with New Zealand centre Sam Tuipulotu completing a double. The Falcons did manage another try late on but the game was already won and it was Worcester in the final.
For full details click on the score below
Worcester Warriors 31 Newcastle Falcons 16
Bath 36 Sale Sharks 14 |
