Sunday Heineken Cup Rugby Quarter Final
Munster destroy Ospreys while Leinster Hang on Against Harlequins
Apr 12, 2009
In Sunday's Heineken Cup Quarter finals, Munster destroyed the Ospreys, whilst Leinster hung on to narrowly defeat Harlequins in a fascinating game. Both teams will face each other to get to the Heineken Cup final.
Munster v The Ospreys
Munster came up against a lacklustre performance by the Ospreys at their Thomond Park fortress and took full advantage, running in four tries in a 43-9 hammering of the Welsh team.
The Ospreys could only live with the Munster game for about half an hour. The score was level at 6-6 but whereas O’Gara’s kicking had been immaculate, Hook had missed two for the Ospreys. The game was effectively lost for the Ospreys when TiaTia was sin binned for a shoulder charge and while he was off Munster scored the first try through full back Warwick. The Australian then added a late drop goal to give the Irishmen a 16-6 lead.
The second half was a procession with Munster running rampant over the hapless Welsh team. Tries by O’Connell and a brace by Earls followed, along with a number of successful goal kicks from O’Gara and a huge drop goal from man of the match Warwick.
This is the second year running that the star studded Welsh team has failed to deliver in the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup and they must hope that the introduction of ex Welsh Assistant Coach Scott Johnson improves things next season.
This hugely impressive performance from Munster will install them as favourite for the tournament as they look forward to a ‘home’ match in Dublin’s Croke Park.
Harlequins v Leinster
Harlequins resisted the urge to move this match from their home stadium to Twickenham and were rewarded by a full house with a vibrant atmosphere.
The game was similarly exciting, with the home team having the best of the first half but the defence from both teams was superb. The closest either side came to a try was in the last minute of the half when O’Driscoll collected his own chip and was held up on the line. Nick Easter took a sin bin to prevent the try being scored. Leinster led 6-0 at the half.
Leinster almost took advantage of the sin binning when only a forward pass saved Quins from a Leinster try and they were put under more pressure with the loss of playmaker Evans to injury. They lifted the siege, however, when foul play from a quick penalty left Contepomi in the sin bin as Easter returned.
With Leinster short numbered, Care set up a position on the Leinster line after a chip and chase. They pounded Leinster, taking scrums when the Irish were penalised. It took ten minutes, but eventually Brown burst through to score. Unfortunately, the London side couldn’t convert and went into the last quarter trailing 6-5.
With both sides back to full strength, Leinster started to play for field position, kicking the ball deep. Quins did have a chance to take the lead, when Leinster were penalised, but the 54 metre kisk was too much for back up kicker Brown though, who pushed it wide.
With the clock running down, 'Quins controversially brought a heavily strapped up Nick Evans back and managed to engineer a position where Evans had a chance for a long drop goal. His injured knee wasn’t up to it and Leinster hung on to win 6-5.
The demand for tickets for a European Rugby Cup Semi Final between Munster and Leinster in Dublin will be huge. The first 5,000 tickets released sold in minutes
Semi Finals May 2nd/3rd
Cardiff v Leicester Tigers – Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Munster v Leinster - Croke Park, Dublin,
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