Heineken Cup: Ulster 9 Biarritz 6

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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 . . .

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5 responses to “Heineken Cup: Ulster 9 Biarritz 6”

  1. rekinek

    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.

  2. the mote

    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 !!!

  3. rekinek

    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.

  4. the mote

    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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