Perpignan prove too much for Toulon during Heineken Cup Quarter Final
Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona has hosted a thriller. A city famous for the Football has tasted the thrill, excitement, tension and adventure of a rugby game. Earlier on Sunday, Perpignan rejuvenated during the second half of the game to deliver
a real shocker to Toulon. Olympic Stadium, Barcelona hosted the quarter final of the Heineken Cup a game decided the semi-finalist in style.
Toulon who was definitely the surprise entry in the Heineken quarterfinals have been justified their place in the quarterfinals as they put up a great competition.
In the end, the real difference between the two teams turned out to be the experience of Perpignan who came back from the first half deficit to take the game away from the Toulon.
Another important aspect of the game was the fact the for approximately 20 minutes in the first half Perpignan played with 14 men side as their Lock Guillaume Vilaceca was shown and later their second Lock Robins Tchale-Watchou were shown yellow card during
the 9th and 33rd minute of the game.
Toulon with their fine domestic season started the game strongly and came scoring during the third minute of the game courtesy of their Fly Half Jonny Wilkinson penalty.
Toulon were able to built up pace and were running the phases to exert pressure on the Perpignan defense and force them to make mistake that earned Perpignan’s first yellow card of the game. With a man down, game entered the dullest phase of the game marked
by excessive kicking and ball handling errors however, Perpignan has denied a scoring opportunity to the Toulon.
With 10 minutes, remaining in the half Perpignan were able to put their first score on board as their Full Back Jerome Porical scored on the penalty to level the scores. Minutes later, Perpignan were again a man down as Robins Tchale-Watchou sin binned.
Toulon again takes the lead as Wilkinson scored his second penalty and two minutes later Porical levelling the scores again with a penalty. Both the penalties were awarded as a result in the lapse in concentration. Minutes before the end of the first half,
Toulon extend their lead as their Flank George Smith score a well-knitted try.
Perpignan started their second half with higher intensity and soon reaped the fruit, as they were able to reduce the lead to just two points through Porical’s third try in the match.
During the 51st minute, Perpignan were put onto the lead for the first time in the game as their Winger Adrien Plante score first try for Perpignan. This was followed by Porical’s conversion to take the score reading 16 – 11. Toulon replied
immediately to levell again the scores with their Number 8 scoring a try followed by Wilkinson’s conversion.
With both team playing open and attacking rugby, ball was flying frequently in both halves. After Toulon, it was Perpignan who again took the lead through their Fly Half who scored his fourth try of the game and minutes later followed it by his last penalty
of the match to get a crucial four points lead over the Toulon.
This was further extended by the substituted Prop Perry Freshwater’s try in the 73rd minute followed by Porical’s last conversion of the game to take the score to 29 – 18.
Toulon were able to reduce the lead during the first minute of the extra time with their substituted Scrum Half Fabien Cibray followed by Wilkinson’s conversion. However, it all came too late as the Perpignan’s ensured that they play out the remaining minute
of extra time to ensure their semi-final place.
Toulon if they have not missed on certain easy scoring opportunities could very much on course to topple the Perpignan’s however, that’s how a young side like this will eventually learn and improve.
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