Munster v Biarritz May 6, 2010
Posted by mdaly in General, Rugby, Sports Reports.Tags: Munster Biarritz
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Munster
Biarritz 18 Munster 7
Estadio Anoeta, San Seabastian, Spain by Pauric, Dysart N.S.
Munster were knocked out of the Heineken Cup by a hungrier Biarritz (France) side on Sunday.
Coming into the game Munster were without Lions captain Paul O’Connell, and their two wings, Doug Howlett and Denis Hurley, all due to injury. Biarritz were without Damien Trialle, there talisman kicker, also due to injury.
Munster were first to put points on the scoreboard after Donncha O’Callaghan made a run up the field, was tackled and from the resulting ruck, Keith Earls got in at the corner and O’Gara converted. 7-0 Munster.
That was as good as it got for the Irish men though, as Biarritz began to take charge. Munster started to give away penalties in kickable positions, and Dimitri Yachvilli converted. Biarritz began to claw their way back into the game through the boot of Yachvilli, and eventually they went ahead. Munster continued to give away penalties in kickable positions, and all of a sudden were down 15-7. In the last ten minutes Munster began to panic, which usually is the last thing you associate with Munster.
Yachvilli knocked over another penalty to leave the score line 18-7 and thats how the game ended. There were a few candidates for man of the match. From the Biarritz side you had Dimitri Yachvilli, whose kicking was superb and controlled the game at scrum-half, and Harinorduquay who had a good game at number 8 and his handling was excellent. He also had to wear a mask to protect his broken nose. On the Munster side you had Tomás O’Leary who was good at scrum-half, and Keith Earls who scored the only try of the game. In my view the Man of the Match award goes to Dimitri Yachvilli who kicked all of Biarritz’s points and controlled the game at scrum-half.
The result of the match means Biarritz go on to the Heineken Cup Final where they will play another French team – Toulouse. What a year it has been for France!!!!!!
