Ian Humphreys kicks the winning penalty for Ulster against Biarritz. Picture from rugbypicture.co.uk
Labelled as one of the most important games since 1999, Ulster had everything to play for against French side Biarritz if they wanted to progress to the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup. After battling harsh weather conditions and a strong Biarritz side, Ulster overcame the opposition to grind out a 9 – 6 win and boost their European dreams for a while longer.
Ulster looked like they were going to take an early lead 4 minutes in, despite playing into a strong wind, when Biarritz were penalised for being offside. Ian Humphreys immediately opted for the posts and the kick was on target, until catching in the wind and falling just short of the posts. Ulster 0 Biarritz 0.
An injury to Biarritz centre Marcelo Bosch shortly after stopped play for a lengthy period, but Ulster remained focused from the restart and continued to dominate possession and territory. As Biarritz tried to get a foothold in the game they committed a number of infringements and on 14 minutes, referee Nigel Owens decided enough was enough, sending lock Erik Lund to the sin bin.
The end of the first quarter saw the first points of the game scored – from the boot of Biarritz scrum half, Dimitri Yachvili, when Ulster were penalised for collapsing a scrum. Ulster 0 Biarritz 3.
Undeterred, Ulster upped their game and a fantastic break from Simon Danielli brought the Ulstermen within yards of the oppositions’ 22. Adam D’Arcy was in support and looked certain to touch down, only for a great covering tackle from Iain Balshaw which pushed D’Arcy into touch.
With Biarritz restored to 15 men and over 30 minutes played, Ulster had another opportunity to score. A cross-field kick from Paddy Wallace to Dan Tuohy kept the ball alive deep within the French half. D’Arcy again was in the thick of the action and chased the ball. Unfortunately the ball was knocked forward by the fullback, ending another chance to take the lead.
As the heavy rain made handling conditions more difficult, a long period of Ulster possession came to an end as they knocked forward just minutes before half-time. As extra time began, a further infringement from Ulster saw Yachvili widen his teams’ lead by a further three points after landing his second kick of the night, going into the lead at half-time. Ulster 0 Biarritz 6.
Ulster piled the pressure onto the French side from the kick off and on 48 minutes Humphreys was given a second chance at goal to lessen the points’ deficit. The kick was from inside his own half, but the team were no longer playing into the wind and the ball slotted between the posts. Ulster 3 Biarritz 6.
Play slowed down considerably with the game turning into a real battle as both teams tried desperately to grind out any advantage possible. However, a knock on from Magnus Lund on 58 minutes provided Humphreys the chance to level the scores right in front of the posts. Ravenhill erupted as Humphreys landed his kick, bringing the score to Ulster 6 Biarritz 6.
As the pressure intensified for both teams, Biarritz slowly made their way towards Ulster’s 22 before Damien Traille fell back for a drop-goal. His kick was hurried however and it went awry, giving the home side more breathing space.
As the final 10 minutes of the game commenced, the score was still 6 – 6 and Biarritz seemed happy to wind the clock down and settle for an away draw, but not Ulster. After a long drawn out battle in mid-field, a Biarritz infringement on 78 minutes ignited the hopes of the Ulster supporters (and players) as Humphreys opted for the posts.
The fly-half showed excellent composure as the ball sailed through the air, landing in between the posts, to bring the score to Ulster 9 Biarritz 6.
With just two minutes left, Biarritz tried desperately to launch one more attack but they were forced into touch in extra time. As the referee’s whistle blew, Ravenhill celebrated a hard-fought but deserved win to keep their European dream alive for a while longer.
Thoughts on the game?
The players can hold their heads high today and say they played for the full 80 minutes. Even when they went into the second half 6 – 0 down, their heads didn’t drop and their passion didn’t waver.
I know there will be the few reading this who’ll be saying they should have put away more points and denied Biarritz a bonus point. Maybe that’s true as it would have helped Ulster’s cause, but only on a day when the weather isn’t as poor. The conditions deteriorated greatly in the first half therefore leaving any chance of an expansive game by the wayside.
Given the conditions therefore, I thought Ulster played extremely well to keep the ball tight. It may not be the prettiest style of rugby, but it was sensible, and it worked.
The teams’ defence was fantastic – very few missed tackles and even when under intense pressure, ie. their own 22, they held strong and barely allowed Biarritz a foothold in the game in the first half.
In the same vein, Ulster didn’t concede a penalty on their own try line and the penalty count remained low.
At this point in my thoughts, I tend to pick out a couple of players who have had a good game. However this week, I don’t think it’s fair to pick out players without congratulating them all first.
Every single player, from 1 – 15 and the relevent replacements, all stood up and were counted yesterday, carrying out their jobs effectively, whether it was cutting through the oppositions defence, kicking, or making tackles. They played out of their skin and played with pride.
As for individual performances…
Ian Humphreys – that man has nerves of steel! To be placed under that amount of pressure, he made the final penalty look easy and you can see how his game has developed and how he has developed as a player.
Willie Faloon had an absolutely outstanding game again and tackled anything that moved yesterday, including a great tackle in the defence. He’s certainly made the number 7 shirt his own and deserves to start more games. (I know I’ve said that before!)
Muller had a brilliant game and is a natural leader both on and off the pitch.
In general, the entire back row was brilliant yesterday.
A negative from the match however, are the injuries sustained by Botha and Best. They both looked serious as they came off the field yesterday and one hopes they aren’t as bad as first feared.
Finally, a mention must go to the support at Ravenhill yesterday. I’m struggling to remember the last time the atmosphere was so intense, and to be in the middle of the celebrations when Humphreys kicked over the final penalty, is something I’ll remember for a long, long time!
Everything now resides with next weekend’s games but the win yesterday will no doubt go a long way to boosting the confidence and morale within the squad. Here’s to next week and hopefully something else to celebrate!
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5 Responses to “Heineken Cup: Ulster 9 Biarritz 6”
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Thoughts on the game
Bairritz didn’t like the wind and the rain and Ulster surprised them in the first half by running the ball at them but were met by a well organised defence . By keeping the ball in the Bairritz half Ulster denied the Frenchmen a chance to run the ball and forced them to try and use the wind and in doing so return possession to the Ulster team.
With only 6 points seperating the sides the french tactics of the second half were a foregone decision take the ball into the Ulster half and keep it tight which they did and all credit to Humphreys with the three penalties two of which where inside the Ulster half.
The fact that the French were playing a tight physical game I was somewhat puzzled as to why Henry was introduced sooner.
Definitely not the best game of rugby ever played at Ravenhill but possibly one of the hardest.
Of the two injuries Botha’s seemed to be the most serious as he nursed his arm off the Pitch
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Victory is a victory and must admhat Ulster looked determined especially in the first half but it was very frustrating that they could not put any points on the board, especially when French were down to 10.
I thought it weird that they chose to play against the wind. Why not use the advantage, put points on the board and make opposition chasing the game. Especially that the rain could have cancelled the wind advantage in the second half.
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Rekinek
Wisdom dictates when possible play against the wind in the first half and play keep ball and try to run the clock down if you can deny the opposition points then playing with the wind in the second half you know the target you have to score.
A bit like one day cricket unless there is a known factor which dictates other wise bat second
I was of the opinion given the wind in the second half 6 points were achievable
Having read P Bills in the telrgraph I’m not to sure what he thought was possible in the conditions. Bairritz are not a team that a coach with any sense would say play high risk open rugby against they are very capable of maximising any benefit from a minor mistake turning defence into attack .
Now not wishing to belittle the Penalties in any way that Humphreys kicked but seriously do three penalties approx 5 mins of any 80 minute game deserve the acolade of man of the match when the really the game was won not by the kicks but the defence during the 20 minute siege in the second half which made it possible.?
It is really to easy to give the glory to point scorers but every forward knows backs get the glory forwards do the work. and it is a collective contribution Well played Pack !!!
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Hi the Mote,
Unless the wind changes in the second half. Such instances are also known.
From my side I do not like games with penalties only. This contributes to overrating kickers, few people will remember that somebody else won this penalty for the team.
If I were doing MoM’s it would go Muller.
IMO lot’d of work for Ulster still.
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