Heineken Rugby Cup Semi Final – Leicester Throu
Heartbreak for Cardiff as Tigers Win First European Penalty Shootout
May 3, 2009
Leicester won the first penalty shootout in Heineken Cup history after being rocked by a late Cardiff surge to level a game they really hadn’t been in. Winger Johne Murphy will be thanking his lucky stars after his miss gave Blues wing Tom James a chance to put Cardiff in the final. James couldn’t take it and when Martyn Williams missed his kick, Jordan Crane converted to put Leicester in the final.
Cardiff started brightest, spinning the ball early and winger James made inroads with a sidestepping break in the first few minutes. Everything was going Cardiff’s way. Blair slotted his penalty attempt, whilst Tiger’s scrum half Dupuy missed three penalties and threw two loose passes in a shaky start.
Leicester Scored First
Slowly though, Leicester got on top as Cardiff stuttered from an inability to win lineout ball, were under pressure in the scrum and were blown away by Leicester’s ferocity at the breakdown. Cardiff, whose defence had been a feature of their quarter final win against Toulouse, held out against one dangerous attack, but had no answer when Flood offloaded from a double tackle, sending Hamilton in under the posts. Dupuy converted and a later penalty gave a 3-10 score line.
Cardiff youngster Halfpenny knocked a penalty over from 48 metres, but Leicester were in the ascendancy now, putting together a move which had Cardiff stretched for 22 phases. The Blues defence, with Gethin Jenkins immense, held strong and when the Tigers gave away a penalty, Martyn Williams hoofed it downfield and the chase trapped Leicester to gain another penalty.
From the restart referee Allain Roland gave a scrum for a Leicester forward being in front of the kicker and then turned it into a penalty when Toby Flood shouted, ‘Oh! Come on Ref’! Halfpenny again punished Leicester and from being in danger of going 3-17 down, the Blues were in the lead. Dupuy put another penalty over, but the Blues, after being outplayed for most of the half would have been happy with a 12-13 scoreline.
Leicester Tigers Continued to Dominate the Second Half
The pattern repeated itself in the second half with Leicester dominating. They had started to target Halfpenny with high balls and chips behind him and it was a break down his wing which led to Leicester’s second try. When he missed a tackle, the ball was recycled in midfield and a Flood half break led to Murphy going in under the posts. The Tigers were back in charge and with two further penalties stretched the lead to 12-26.
With fifteen minutes to go, Cardiff made some determined attacks, which led to Leicester having both Newby and Murphy sin-binned for cynical penalties. Still the Blues couldn’t find a way through until centre Jamie Roberts made a break on halfway. He looked for support but then realised he could make it himself and slid in at the cornet. Blair converted a difficult kick and the Blues were back within a score.
Cardiff Force Extra Time in an Incredible Come Back
Newby returned to the pitch at the kickoff and there were five minutes left, when, with the Blues scrum under pressure under their own posts. The ball was scrambled back to Robinson who instead of kicking, found centre Roberts. Roberts made a clean break and then fed James who raced to the corner. Ben Blair had a kick from the left touchline to complete one of the most startling comebacks in the history of this great competition. As pressure kicks go, they don’t come more difficult than this, bit he nailed the conversion to level the game at 26-26.
Leicester looked out on their feet, but their great cup pedigree showed through again as they looked the better side in extra time. Neither side managed to score, with a Leicester drop goal attempt from half way being the closest anyone came to breaking the deadlock.
With extra time over, everyone reached for the competition rulebook and Martyn Williams heartbreak began. Leicester fans can start looking for Heineken Cup Final Tickets once again. They play Leinster in the final.
 |
