What an amazing Heineken Cup semi-final in the Millennium Stadium. The scores were close at 12-13 to Leicester at half-time but perhaps should have been more to Tigers as they missed several penalty kicks at goal, whilst Cardiff through Blair and Halfpenney slotted theirs. The second half and Leicester pulled away to a 26 to 13 lead and most thought that was the ball game, but two yellow cards and down to 13 men at last Cardiff had the belief to run wide and at them and two late tries saw us into extra time. This was a tight affair as neither side was willing to take risks. So we went to a penalty shoot out Cardiff went first and their first 4 kicks from Blair, Robinson, Halfpenny and Sweeny went over whilst for Tigers Dupuy, Vesty and G.Murphy converted. Up came J.Murphy and missed so Tom James for Cardiff could win the game, but he missed, whilst Hamilton converted for Leicester. We then had Shanklin and Rees clear for Cardiff and Mauger and Newby for Tigers. The fans were now on the edge of their seats and up stepped Martyn Williams for Cardiff, he pulled his shot left of the posts leaving Jordan Crane to slot over and win for Leicester.
Putting them into the final at Murrayfield against Leinster
Blues 26-26 Leicester (aet)
Scorers
Blues
Tries: Roberts, James Cons: Blair (2) Pens: Blair (2), Halfpenny (2)
Leicester
Tries: Hamilton, Murphy Cons: Dupuy (2) Pens: Dupuy (4)
Teams
Cardiff Blues: Blair, Halfpenny, Shanklin, J. Roberts, James, N. Robinson, Rees, Jenkins, G. Williams, Filise, Davies, Tito, Molitika, M. Williams, Rush.
Replacements: Sweeney for J. Roberts (99), Yapp for Filise (80), D. Jones for Tito (9), A. Powell for Molitika (60). Not Used: T. Thomas, Allinson, G. Thomas.
Leicester: G. Murphy, Hamilton, Hipkiss, Vesty, J. Murphy, Flood, Dupuy, Ayerza, Chuter, Castrogiovanni, Croft, Kay, Newby, Woods, Crane.
Replacements: Smith for J. Murphy (63), Mauger for Flood (60), Ellis for Dupuy (73), Kayser for Chuter (59), Wentzel for Castrogiovanni (50), Moody for Woods (74). Not Used: White.
Sin Bin: Newby (61), G. Murphy (67).
Att: 44,212
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)