This weekend saw the Finals of both the Heineken and Amlin 2012/13 European Cups in Dublin Ireland. First up on Friday night it was the Amlin.
This was played in bright sunshine in the RDS stadium and as we predicted Leinster won through. Stade Francais who had the majority of possession and territory simply could not convert pressure into points. They either got turned over at the crucial moment or made an error knocking on, forward passing or simply losing in contact. The reverse could be said of Leinster who took every chance that came their way and were in fact 14-0 up in twenty minutes two tries from two trips into Stades twenty-two. Stade did get into the game with a penalty on twenty-six minutes 14-3, but then Leinster came right back and scored their third try to go into half-time at 21-6. The second period and things tightened up, leading Leinster to consolidate with a couple of penalties 27-6. Then on sixty-five minutes Stade got over the whitewash 27-13. However it was Leinster with the final word on seventy-eight minutes to give us the final score of 34-13.
Saturday and the weather was not so kind to us at the Aviva Stadium as
ASM Clermont and Toulon slugged it out. This game saw Clermont with the bulk of possession and territory scoring as early as the third minute but then going in at half time at 3-3. The second half and it lit up on forty-one minutes with Napilioni Nalanga going tip toe down the touch line to score for Clermont the conversion was missed 8-3. Forty-five minutes and Jonny closed it to 8-6. forty-eight minutes and Clermont got their second 15-6. It was all Clermont but Toulon defence was assume and so it was a penalty to Jonny on sixty minutes closed it to 15-9 and doubts were there to see. Sixty-four minutes and Deleon Armitage went over and Jonny slotted the conversion 15-16. Clermont threw the kitchen sink but could not get the breakthrough or the clear chance at a drop goal and so it slipped away. A great day out and well deserved win to Toulon. Jonny Wilkinson was made man of the tournament and no one can argue with that.
Two great games over the weekend with differing styles lets hope Clermont and Toulon meet in the Top 14 final.
