Rugby Update: Almin Challenge Cup - Wrap up and Upsets
The European Challenge cup also known as Amlin Challenge Cup is an annual Rugby Union competition managed by European Rugby Cup (ERC). It was previously known as Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003. It’s the second tier tournament to the Heineken Cup. Teams
from England, Wales, Ireland, Romania, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain take part in the tournament. It happens on a pool and then Knock-out basis.
This year the competition is much fiercer than before and a heavily record breaking crowd is expected in the finals this time. Last year 48,990 people attended the final, which is 500% of the crowd which appeared in 2008-09. The results of the pools are
out. The fifth round will start from 13th January when Exeter Chiefs will go against Bourgoin in Sandy Park.
Pool 2 is dominated by Brive with 18 points followed by Sharks which happens to be way behind at 11 points. Cetransa El Salvador celebrated their third European win by beating Italian opponents Petrace 37-16 at the Campos de Rugby Pepe Rojo.
The hosts took the lead when Jaime Nava executed a fine penalty before Petrarce replied with a try from Augustin Cavaliere. Match ended up completely in favour of Cetransa El Salvador.
Pool 3 conditions went from being normal to unpredictable. The most highlighted match of this pool was between New Castle and Exeter Chiefs. New Castle Falcons transferred their game with Exeter Chiefs to Galashiels, reason being the Kingston
Park covered with snow. The ground was ruled out by an eighty minute penalty by Jeremy Manning. This earned them 26-24 victory over the host team. New Castle raised their hopes for reaching to the quarter-finals by beating Exeter Chiefs for the first time
in the three matches they had this season.
Jimmy Gopperth gave Falcons a striking start with his reliable boot. He kicked four penalties in a row, while South African Gcobani Bobo took a successful try to bring the score at 17-6. Jimmy Gopperth scored again and made the score 20-6 shortly after the
second half. Chiefs came back with a thundering revenge from Phil Dolmanand wing Mark Foster, with their tries. Ryan Davis scored 12 points and Gareth Steenson converted Foster’s 76th minute score. This was the time when Chiefs took the lead for
the first time. But the Chiefs Glory was stolen by Manning. He robbed there hope for taking over at the top of Pool 3. Exeter Chiefs were beaten 36-18 by New Castle in Bourgin.
Pool 4 was a stable pool lead by Freanch team Stade Francias with 19 points and Leeds at second position with 14 points. Teams will fly to Paris for round five and complete the season. Leeds won over Crociati twice and double over Italian
side. Stade Francias remains unbeaten and moved up to the top by beating Bucharest Oaks 35-7 and are a major threat for all the English teams in the coming matches.
Pool 5 turned out to be almost the same. The major upset in this pool was done by La Rochelle against Gloucester Rugby. They were the first side in previous 18 games played at Kingsholm to actually grab a victory. La Rochelle had lost from
Cherry and Whites at home by 13-6. They probably had learnt the lesson and had a plan this time. The French side totally shocked the English players.
During the second half, La Rochelle had to lose Tamato Leupolu and Alexandre Bares to the sin-bin and Vincent Roux was sent off the field for picking up two yellow cards. Gloucester didn’t take advantage of the situation were not able to convert their chances.
Thomas Soucaze powered his way through the English defence and soon Gloucester were behind the visitors. Benjamin Dambielle collected a fourteen-point haul and Pop Jonathan Garcia touched down for the visiting side. Vainikolo proved his skills in both intervals
and Freddie Burns made a final try in last ten minutes of the game but it happened to be too late.
The tournament will be back from 13th January. There have been major upsets and thrilling moments so far. More is expected as the fifth round starts.
Tags: