Harlequins and Stade Francais in final of Amlin Challenge – Rugby News
The Harlequins booked their Amlin Challenge final seat against Stade Francais at the Cardiff City Stadium on May 20, after defeating Munster 20 – 12 last weekend. Harlequins triumph over Munster at Thomond Park, Limerick on Saturday, April 30, makes them
only the second team of the Aviva Premiership to win a European match in Limerick in the past 16 years.
Harlequins win brought a sigh of relief for the squad, as they played with a 14-man side for 20 minutes in the all important game. While Munster enjoyed more ball and territory possession, Harlequins were efficient with their tackling and this helped them
to stop Munster from taking a lead during any point of the match.
Harlequins started the match strongly as they controlled the pace of the game and retained ball possession. The Quins were first to score in the match after an impressive run by their winger Gonzalo Camacho enabling their Lock George Robson to cross the
try line to score the first points of the game during the eighth minute. Harlequins’ fly half Nick Evans scored the conversion to leave Munster trailing by seven points.
During the next 20 minutes, both teams tried their best to score points but failed to do so. Harlequins extended their lead as their scrum half Danny Care scored their second try during the 33rd minute of the game. Care took the conversion and
scored on it.
Minutes before the first-half closed, Munster scored their first points of the game with their fullback Felix Jones scoring a try. Munster’s fly half Ronan O’Gara followed with his conversion to reduce the deficit to just seven points.
Munster failed to capitalise on the definite advantage they enjoyed as Harlequins played half of the second match with a man down. During the 46th minute, Munster lock Donncha O'Callaghan and Harlequins number eight Nick Easter were shown yellow
cards. Easter was shown a red card later in the game during the 70th minute.
Harlequins substitute fly half Rory Clegg 48th and 58th minute penalty extended Quins lead by 13 points. Munster had ball possession but the Harlequins defence absorbed all the pressure.
Munster only score during the second-half came in the ending moments of the game with their winger Doug Howlett scoring their second try in the game. O’Gara failed to score on the conversion to portray the poor second-half of the Munster that resulted in
them conceding the game.
Harlequins will face Stade Francais in the finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup at Cardiff City Stadium on May 20. This will be the Harlequins third shot at the title.
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