29-5-18 rugby
FRENCH SEMIS
Montpellier 40-14 Lyon
Racing 14-19 Castre
PRO 14 FINAL
LEINSTER 40-32 SCARLETS
CRAFTY CONAN
After a try-less first half hour in which Johnny Sexton and
Leigh Halfpenny traded kicks, lock Devin Toner forced his way over the line
from close range after Leinster carried the ball remorselessly through several
phases.
This left Leinster leading 14-6 but this cushion was
short-lived as Scarlets winger Johnny NcNicholl snaffled a try from the next
attack.
Leinster led 14-11 as the clock passed the 40 minute mark
and it looked like they would have a relatively paltry lead to boast for all
their first half dominance.
However, on the stroke of half-time, Scarlets indiscipline
helped them gain a line-out five metres out. From the resultant line-out maul,
McGrath fed the excellent Sexton who popped a pass to James Lowe and the Kiwi
winger dived over in the corner to leave the score at 21-11 at the break.
Then followed the moment of the game as Jordan Larmour
collected a Scarlets grubber kick near the touchline in his own half. He booted
the ball forward and out-paced everyone in his vicinity, speeding onto the ball
ahead of the leaden-footed Scarlets defenders
He scooped up the ball skilfully on the run and dived over
for Leinster's score of the match.
Johnny McNicholl scored in the corner to provide some
respite but Leinster worked a fifth through some Joey Carbery brilliance in the
middle of the pitch. The replacement out-half's swivel of the hips and break
ultimately created a score for Jack Conan who trotted under the posts.
This left the score at 40-18 and the crowd were in
celebratory mood entering the final ten minutes. Scarlets manufactured a successful
drive for scoreboard respectability in the final five minutes as, first Verner
Kruger, and then hat-trick man Johnny McNicholl scored tries for the Welsh side
- the second of which was after a magnificent attack from their own try-line in
over-time.
But the home side's victory was long settled by then and,
after Halfpenny's conversion
https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2018/0526/966236-leinster-claim-double-in-style-after-5-star-display/
MY
OPINION
This Leinster team is putting
themselves in with the greatest ever teams in European Rugby and as it does
make me that little bit excited for next year’s World cup as we have a team
that is used to winning. The Scarlets must be disappointed as they were able to
get back into the match.
PREMIERSHIP FINAL
EXETER 10-27 SARACENS
WICKED WYLES
A lovely step from Sam Hill has Exeter through the Sarries
line for the first time and he forces a penalty on the 22. Straight down the
middle Simmonds
After a couple of charges at the line, Billy Vunipola finds
a gap and goes over from a couple of yards. Converted well by Farrell
Superb stuff from Sarries! Goode to Maitland out to Wyles on
the left wing and he runs in unchallenged in the corner.
Too easy. A couple of phases from the forwards then Farrell
spreads wide and Wylie is again in plenty of space. He crosses the line for his
second try of the match. Simple conversion by Farell
From the scrum, Exeter send the ball to the left and
Steenson opts to burst through himself for the score. Converted by Steenson
Rhodes goes for the line but is just short. Sarries have a
penalty though and they take the points in front off the posts.
Brits feeds Goode – who has been exceptional as well today –
and he finds the replacement Nathan Earle all on his own out wide. He dives
over the line to spark scenes of celebration in the Saracens camp.
MY
OPINION
Saracens had shown here from the start that
they were the stronger side and that Exeter were in a bit of a Trans. I think that
results like this can only help Exeter as they would have expected a better
game at least.
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