Leinster 29-28 Clermont Auvergne (RDS)
Leinster kept a hold on their European Cup with a thrilling 29-28 quarter-final victory over Clermont Auvergne in the RDS last night.
Jamie Heaslip scored two tries for the hosts and Julien Malzieu grabbed a hat-trick for Clermont, but a titanic contest was ultimately settled by the boot.
Leinster Out-Half Jonny Sexton had a fantastic night as he kicked 7 out of 8 attempts to finish the night with a total of 19 points, whereas Clermont’s Australian international, Brock James, endured one of the worst nights of his career as he kicked away 24 points, including two drop goals which would have won the game at the death.
Clermont are well known for having difficulties on their travels, losing to both Leicester and Osprey’s in the group stages, but at times last night it looked as if they might finally get that monkey off their back.
They started as if they were determined to lose that reputation and deservedly raced into a 10-0 lead that should probably have been more. Their powerful running shook Leinster early on and they would have led after five minutes had James not missed with a straightforward penalty after handling in the ruck.
The French side grabbed their deserved lead after 11 minutes when James chipped over the top of the Leinster defence and the ball was quickly moved out to Malzieu who made no mistake in crossing the line. James added the extra two points with an impressive kick from the sideline.
Aurelien Rougerie's break after the winger outjumped Isa Nacewa to a high ball set up James for another penalty and this time he slotted it from the touchline.
Leinster were being overpowered and had not been inside the Clermont 22 in the first quarter, but they came away with points from their first foray downfield. The visitors were caught offside following Ledesma's crooked lineout throw and Sexton slotted from right in front.
All of a sudden Leinster woke from their slumber and over the following ten minutes the game was completely turned on its head.
Brian O’Driscoll, so often the saviour for Leinster over the years, made a great break from midfield and a brilliant backhanded pass sent Jamie Heaslip crashing over the line. Sexton added the conversion to level the scores.
James then missed two penalty chances for the French side. It almost seemed to confirm that the momentum had shifted.
This proved to be true in the 33rd minute when quick ball from Eoin Reddan set Heaslip up to power over the line from three yards out. Sexton easily added the two extra points from directly in front of the posts.
A penalty soon after left Leinster ten points ahead and the half was ended when Morgan Parra, having taken over kicking duties from James, was well short with a penalty.
The first score of the second half was always going to be crucial in such an open game and that proved so when Clermont saw the momentum shift back in their direction when Malzieu scored his second try of the game.
The forwards made a burst through the middle and when the ball was spread wide Malzieu managed to touch down in the corner before Shane Horgan could force him into touch.
James missed the conversion but with momentum in Clermont’s favour it wasn’t long before they moved ahead of their Irish opposition.
James and Sexton swapped penalties before Clermont moved ahead again through Malzieu’s third try of the game.
Shane Horgan made a complete mess of a clearance from James and his clearance was blocked down by Marius Joubert. Malzieu still had plenty to do but he collected and kept his nerve to cross for the score. James converted and the lead was five points again.
This was to be Clermont’s last score of the game as the momentum shifted towards the home side once again.
A late hit from Morgan Parra was penalised and Sexton slotted the penalty between the posts. An opportunity for the lead was handed to Leinster when Anthony Floch was sin binned for a deliberate knock on, but Sexton missed the resultant penalty.
But with the numbers against them Clermont found their defence coming under severe pressure and as Leinster surged forward the Clermont defence was caught offside and Sexton moved Leinster ahead with the penalty.
Still James should have won it for the visitors, but twice after sterling work from his forwards in setting up good field position, the number 10 wasted good drop-goal chances.
Leinster will be extremely happy with this win as they managed to come through a serious test of character with the defence of their trophy intact. Sexton, Heaslip and Kearney proved to be the main players for Leinster on the night and Sexton especially will be happy with that after the comments from Ronan O’Gara, questioning Sexton’s bottle in a big game, earlier on Friday.
It’s France all the way now for Leinster if they are to successfully defend their trophy as the are away to the winners of Toulouse and Stade Francais and the final is being held in Paris.
No comments:
Post a Comment