Sunday, May 03, 2009
Shoot-out glory for the Leicester Tigers in the Heineken Cup Semi
The match itself was a classic, with the Millennium Stadium once again being the stage for this incredible piece of theatre that played out in front of a crowd that sat on the edge of their seats throughout.
The Tigers led 26-12 at one stage after tries from Scott Hamilton and Geordan Murphy, and four penalties from Julien Dupuy. The game was theirs, and it looked as though Cardiff had no way back.
The game shifted radically though when Craig Newby and Murphy were handed yellow cards as they defended desperately. Cardiff took advantage and Jamie Roberts and Tom James both scored sensational tries, levelling matters at 26-26.
Extra time commenced, and neither side could score after the two ten minute halves, leading to a rare occurrence the rugby penalty shootout.
Kicked from the 22 meter line, directly in front of posts, each side would have 5 attempts before it goes to sudden death.
Weve got the full shootout for you, so sit back and enjoy all the drama as it unfolds.
Well hopefully get the tries up soon too.
Time: 10:41
Note: Join the forum and discuss the semis in more detail if you'd like.
Posted at 9:38 pm | 80 comments
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Viewing 80 comments
Anonymous May 03, 2009 8:21 pm
first:D anyway brillant match blues nearly desevered it at the end would of been sickened if i were a leicster fan though
Anonymous May 03, 2009 8:27 pm
The blues desevered to win that game!! I thought they were goin to win that match then the final!!
Anonymous May 03, 2009 8:30 pm
Horrible way to lose a match, surely someone could come up with a better senario, sudden death try anything. Hard lines martyn williams
Anonymous May 03, 2009 8:33 pm
Awful way to determine a European Cup semi final!
ed May 03, 2009 8:35 pm
awesome, i came on thinking u may have this up, but what.. 4 hours after the match, on a sunday! thanks RD.
ed May 03, 2009 8:39 pm
and the welsh deserve to lose as they were booing each leicester kicker.
Anonymous May 03, 2009 8:39 pm
painful, AWFUL to watch blues losing in this way.. sooo close.. so close.. :'( they deserved the win taking into account how hard they fought and how they got struck back when all hope seemed to be lost to leicester.. my heart was racing those last 10 minutes of the match + extra time!! haha.
congrats leicester.
congrats leicester.
jacknife May 03, 2009 9:20 pm
beautiful match. amazing finish. it's possible to see the highlights?
Anonymous May 03, 2009 9:26 pm
i hope this dosent start people getting narky and totally love and respect RD but when are the munster highlights coming up?
Anonymous May 03, 2009 9:32 pm
Two yellow cards as they defended desperately? More like as they defended illegally. I'm sick of watching people intentionally offend to stop a try knowing that they will only get a yellow card. And I'm sick of Leicester cheating - Tuilagi's band, Julian white gouging? And now these two yellow cards. I'm sure there are more, but I can't bring myself to watch any more Leicester games than I have to.
mise May 03, 2009 9:51 pm
The solution to avoid this sort fo (admittedly exciting as a once off) ending:
first score wins once it hits extra time.
That way, ppl would try Warick-style drop goals from whereever, or one converted pen could finish it.
Far far better than making forwards take kicks from the 22.
Leinster now the underdogs, which will proob suit them after hammering Munster
first score wins once it hits extra time.
That way, ppl would try Warick-style drop goals from whereever, or one converted pen could finish it.
Far far better than making forwards take kicks from the 22.
Leinster now the underdogs, which will proob suit them after hammering Munster
Anonymous May 03, 2009 9:55 pm
good luck to the commentators, its leinster...... no leicester. brilliant
Cheis May 03, 2009 10:11 pm
that was awesome, dramatic, what a match.. you don't get to see this often!
Ugghh May 03, 2009 10:46 pm
i fell sick...
but that was undeniably cool,
has that ever happened before?
but that was undeniably cool,
has that ever happened before?
eating is cheating May 03, 2009 10:57 pm
i was praying that castro would have to take one!!!
Markflanker May 03, 2009 11:06 pm
I personally thought this was an amazing match to watch, including the penalty shootout.
For those people using the point about it being forwards who end up kicking, nobody makes an issue about a forward who scores a drop goal in a match so why should this be any different?
On that front Craig Newby's kick was as good as any of the 'proper' kickers from the backs.
For those people using the point about it being forwards who end up kicking, nobody makes an issue about a forward who scores a drop goal in a match so why should this be any different?
On that front Craig Newby's kick was as good as any of the 'proper' kickers from the backs.
Anonymous May 03, 2009 11:45 pm
Ed i think you find the welsh only boo'd dupuy who should nto have been on the field at that point in time. Hipkiss had little to no blood on him and dupuy had gone off as a substitution.
iceman_19 May 04, 2009 12:17 am
Lets clear up some BS here.
Leicester, according to EVERY neutral report I read, deserved to win on the overall run of play. That's not to take anything away from an outstanding Cardiff comeback, but overall Leicester played the better rugby.
Secondly, Newby was sinbinned for an offence Martyn Williams had committed twice in the last 10 minutes. Where's the justice in that?
Dupuy was allowed to come on for Hipkiss as a blood sub which was verified by match officials. It would be stupid to bring on somebody else when Leicester had a kicker available.
All in all, great match but horrible way to decide it. Sympathy for the Blues.
Leicester, according to EVERY neutral report I read, deserved to win on the overall run of play. That's not to take anything away from an outstanding Cardiff comeback, but overall Leicester played the better rugby.
Secondly, Newby was sinbinned for an offence Martyn Williams had committed twice in the last 10 minutes. Where's the justice in that?
Dupuy was allowed to come on for Hipkiss as a blood sub which was verified by match officials. It would be stupid to bring on somebody else when Leicester had a kicker available.
All in all, great match but horrible way to decide it. Sympathy for the Blues.
Anonymous May 04, 2009 12:26 am
what a glorious competition.
two semi finals and two corkers of games, how can the final live up to that???????
two semi finals and two corkers of games, how can the final live up to that???????
boomshanka May 04, 2009 1:04 am
cheers RD for not giving it away in the article :1
Mark Hammond May 04, 2009 2:41 am
I think a game of 7s would be a much better way. Has anyone ever suggested that before?
Canadian Content May 04, 2009 3:07 am
Poor way to decide a match, though great drama to watch. I'd prefer to see the 1st 2 OTs played and then sudden death. The drama would then be stupendous.
If Tom Croft does not get to replace Quinlan when he gets rightly suspended, the selectors are fools. He played a brilliant game and offers so match, closing speed on the hard ground (brilliant tackle on Halfpenny), superb support play, excellent at reclaiming the line out and a dynamo at the line out. He will handle the rough stuff and his "lack" of weight will not be an issue.
If Tom Croft does not get to replace Quinlan when he gets rightly suspended, the selectors are fools. He played a brilliant game and offers so match, closing speed on the hard ground (brilliant tackle on Halfpenny), superb support play, excellent at reclaiming the line out and a dynamo at the line out. He will handle the rough stuff and his "lack" of weight will not be an issue.
Greg May 04, 2009 3:59 am
Anonymous said...
^^^^^^^^^what a queer
What a childish response!
^^^^^^^^^what a queer
What a childish response!
This comment has been removed
sambobly May 04, 2009 6:15 am
Why can't sudden death overtime just go on indefinitely? I mean this isn't soccer after all scoring is fairly regular. In rugby it isn't required for every member on a team to be able to kick penalty goals so why should a game be decided that way? It would be more exciting to have the game go until someone scores anything. Remember the 2003 world cup final and how exciting OT was then? Imagine golden point!
robert May 04, 2009 6:32 am
Sure it had it's own drama, but toss for choice of end or kick-off after extra time and play sudden death .. that'd be worth seeing.
Boz May 04, 2009 6:49 am
After the first 10 m inutes of overtime, each team should have to remove a player every five minutes until someone scores.
Playing with less people is bound to open up some defenses and more than likely cause a mistake or mishandle that will lead to a try.
Plus, then you get the intrigue of who will each team remove.
Playing with less people is bound to open up some defenses and more than likely cause a mistake or mishandle that will lead to a try.
Plus, then you get the intrigue of who will each team remove.
Joshie May 04, 2009 7:46 am
Ye but then what do you do at scrum time and line out? if you remove some forwards?
piaruskov May 04, 2009 7:48 am
The blues started playing 10 minutes before OT, they were pathetic before that, barely managing to get through the Tigers defense with a 2 player superiority. If not for the two yellow cards Leicester would have rocked them.
Glad that it was Williams who shit himself for the shootout, partly serves the dickweed for all the yellow cards he never got
Glad that it was Williams who shit himself for the shootout, partly serves the dickweed for all the yellow cards he never got
Anonymous May 04, 2009 9:41 am
'Two yellow cards as they defended desperately? More like as they defended illegally. I'm sick of watching people intentionally offend to stop a try knowing that they will only get a yellow card'
its part of the game. been going on for ages. if you were in the same situation what would you do? let the opposition gain momentum and score? i doubt it
its part of the game. been going on for ages. if you were in the same situation what would you do? let the opposition gain momentum and score? i doubt it
Sheen May 04, 2009 9:51 am
Canadian Content,
You're damn right, Tom Croft has to go on the Lions tour, too good to miss it. Pace, size, strength, skills, he has the lot.. I'd have him starting the tests.
Considering the shoot out doesn't come around too often its not the worst way to end it, pretty damn exciting. feel bad for martyn williams as he really is a great player. if these two teams carried on playing for a whole day id say it would have been deadlocked.
You're damn right, Tom Croft has to go on the Lions tour, too good to miss it. Pace, size, strength, skills, he has the lot.. I'd have him starting the tests.
Considering the shoot out doesn't come around too often its not the worst way to end it, pretty damn exciting. feel bad for martyn williams as he really is a great player. if these two teams carried on playing for a whole day id say it would have been deadlocked.
Anonymous May 04, 2009 9:57 am
doesnt sudden death come first? or have the rules changed?
hooker May 04, 2009 10:33 am
never seen a shoot-out in rugby before- very excited to see that. Agree with the previous comments about TOm Croft, he should have been on the plane in the first place
Anonymous May 04, 2009 11:21 am
Williams really is havin a horrid season... porr lad, he's played so well 2. Luck is most def not on his side
Feargal May 04, 2009 12:01 pm
Tom James did really really well on that try. i thought it was awesome. proably better leicster won. could you imagine the cardiff and leinster fans together? they'd clash so bad! diaster. would've ruined the whole game :P
JP May 04, 2009 12:16 pm
Leicester played better even if they were more conservative, they still deserved to win.
As a fan of non of these teams it's really a shame to see Leicester make the final but at least Leinster got it so it shouldn't be too boring.
I can't believe rugby has been reduced to placed kicks! We all lose out in the end because of this. There's no easy way to avoid it but something like number of tries, earliest try, etc couldn't be any worse.
As a fan of non of these teams it's really a shame to see Leicester make the final but at least Leinster got it so it shouldn't be too boring.
I can't believe rugby has been reduced to placed kicks! We all lose out in the end because of this. There's no easy way to avoid it but something like number of tries, earliest try, etc couldn't be any worse.
Anonymous May 04, 2009 1:08 pm
it was an awful way for us to go out.. we could have had it too i believe if shanklin kicked instead of tom james?
But oh well, i don't believe the better team won, but the team that played better on the day did.. We had plenty of opportunities to get some points in extra time too, we just didn't take them. Luck hasn't been with welsh rugby this season, haha.
A real shame for the blues, but good luck to leciester in the final, i believe it's theirs again.
But oh well, i don't believe the better team won, but the team that played better on the day did.. We had plenty of opportunities to get some points in extra time too, we just didn't take them. Luck hasn't been with welsh rugby this season, haha.
A real shame for the blues, but good luck to leciester in the final, i believe it's theirs again.
Cojimbo May 04, 2009 1:37 pm
What is with all these comments? I thought the shoot-out was so exciting. And for everyone saying that they should play until the first score, they had played 20 mins of extra time but with no score, and they both had equal tries. They can't just keep playing all day. This is obviously the best feasible option.
Ferdnam May 04, 2009 2:05 pm
Poetic Justice...
Leicester deserved the win and the blues did not deserve to be there anyway... If it hadn't been for inept and incredibly unfair refereeing, Toulouse would have been in the semis...
And how wonderful it was to see Martyn Williams, the master cheat and referee manipulator, sink his team...
Leicester deserved the win and the blues did not deserve to be there anyway... If it hadn't been for inept and incredibly unfair refereeing, Toulouse would have been in the semis...
And how wonderful it was to see Martyn Williams, the master cheat and referee manipulator, sink his team...
kember May 04, 2009 2:13 pm
I don't know why people feel sorry for the blues as they didn't deserve to win.
Personally I thought it was good to watch on this occassion as we've never seen it before but wouldn't want it to happen often.
I'm not sure how many people here have played 100 minutes of rugby but to suggest the extra time to just carry on until someones scores or take people off isn't really feasable due to tiredness.
Personally I thought it was good to watch on this occassion as we've never seen it before but wouldn't want it to happen often.
I'm not sure how many people here have played 100 minutes of rugby but to suggest the extra time to just carry on until someones scores or take people off isn't really feasable due to tiredness.
Anonymous May 04, 2009 2:49 pm
^^^^Totally agree, Agony to see Martyn Williams of all people to fluff it. Leicester played well but they are a shit side who play very boring rugby. Nice to see 3/4 teams in the semi's from the Magners League. Heres hoping the Irish luck doesnt run out on the 23rd Brilliant match btw!
MentallyMadMax May 04, 2009 5:00 pm
Tigers deserved to win. Nice to see them continuing with the good attacking vein of recent months instead of reverting to tight and boundary pushing rugby.
I really enjoyed the shootout. It certainly made the match a special occasion! It just gave that extra edge to a cracking game and teh tension and atmosphere was amazing!
Keep it at 20min extra time, most tries, then shootout!
I really enjoyed the shootout. It certainly made the match a special occasion! It just gave that extra edge to a cracking game and teh tension and atmosphere was amazing!
Keep it at 20min extra time, most tries, then shootout!
Abs7 May 04, 2009 5:07 pm
Thats a crap way for the blues to go out... feel bad for martyn williams in the twighlight of his career, think shanks should of kicked instead of tom james.. all respect to tom but shanks is a better kicker... tom has just been a good runner, he was in youth and is at the blues...
never mind, well done tigers.. hope leinster win now lol
never mind, well done tigers.. hope leinster win now lol
Jonno May 04, 2009 6:19 pm
To the guy who said that he is sick of us (liecester) cheating should shut the fuck up. All of those incidents that he named where all punished with the suitable sentence. Bules never deserved to win. i admit the they scored two brilliant tries at the end, but they could only do that when they had 2 extra men. I htink it is fantastic that williams missed aswell. out of all the people...
Anonymous May 04, 2009 6:20 pm
IMO, Leicester did much more to win that match, it was a great match (I wanted Blues to win) but it was a fair result
Anonymous May 04, 2009 6:49 pm
Fingers crossed for a Leinster win in the final, for the good of positive rugby.
ryebye May 04, 2009 8:44 pm
_________________________
Mark Hammond said...
I think a game of 7s would be a much better way. Has anyone ever suggested that before?
__________________________
I think that would be a great idear BUT after playing 100 mins of top class rugby i think that coulf be alittle too much for players
Mark Hammond said...
I think a game of 7s would be a much better way. Has anyone ever suggested that before?
__________________________
I think that would be a great idear BUT after playing 100 mins of top class rugby i think that coulf be alittle too much for players
Jochen May 04, 2009 8:49 pm
I did get annoyed by the "booing" of the Cardiff supporters. Was probably louder then the Leicester "booing". Sorry, but shut the fuck up during the kicker is concentrating and then you can shout or whatever. Great the "booing"-fans didnt get a final
Anonymous May 04, 2009 9:02 pm
Yes it may have been painful as a Cardiff or even a Welsh fan to see it end this way, as a neutral observer this was probably the best possible finish for a Heineken Cup Semi-Final.
Both team played well, had their ups and downs in the game.
Basically both were equally matched and both deserved to win. It came down to chance, and was a great spectacle.
Both team played well, had their ups and downs in the game.
Basically both were equally matched and both deserved to win. It came down to chance, and was a great spectacle.
Anonymous May 04, 2009 9:59 pm
As a tigers fan I loved the result, we did deserve the win though I feel very bad for Martin Williams, no one deserves to be in that position.
To all you fashionable tigers haters Im glad you have the chance to wine on about us again as we play in another final. Cant understand your mentality myself but maybe thats because we dont concern ourselves about anyone elses team other than our own.
What amazed me though was the disipline and defence both teams showed in the extra time period to give no one even the chance to have a shot at goal or a try chance, brilliant stuff!
To all you fashionable tigers haters Im glad you have the chance to wine on about us again as we play in another final. Cant understand your mentality myself but maybe thats because we dont concern ourselves about anyone elses team other than our own.
What amazed me though was the disipline and defence both teams showed in the extra time period to give no one even the chance to have a shot at goal or a try chance, brilliant stuff!
Will May 05, 2009 1:19 am
As a neutral observer and i thought it was poetic justice that it was williams who lost the game as he was never binned for the blatent offences he made which were just as bad as any made by the leicester players (even the commentators pointed that out so don't think i'm making stuff up)
I think, as both teams would have deserved a win, the penalty shoot out was a fantastic way to end it, wish this happened more often!
I think, as both teams would have deserved a win, the penalty shoot out was a fantastic way to end it, wish this happened more often!
Anonymous May 05, 2009 10:15 am
As a neutral observer I dont think it was the best way to decide the game and hope that this is not what Martin Williams is remmebered for as he is amazing player.
Was this the first time this was ever used to decide a match???
Was this the first time this was ever used to decide a match???
the Emperor Fabulous May 05, 2009 12:14 pm
can't believe some people. "don't keep playing cos they might get tired?!"
goodness sake.
top game, well done both sides, hated the penalties. i think a game of bullrush would be a better way to decide the game*. at least all players are expected to run and tackle.
*i am not suggesting this is actually done
goodness sake.
top game, well done both sides, hated the penalties. i think a game of bullrush would be a better way to decide the game*. at least all players are expected to run and tackle.
*i am not suggesting this is actually done
Anonymous May 05, 2009 3:20 pm
What about extra time where you take off a player every 5 minutes. Its down to the coaches to win then on strategy.
Anonymous May 05, 2009 4:14 pm
what an unbelieveable semi final weekend absolutely brilliant to watch as a neutral supporter
JOE May 05, 2009 5:20 pm
ive seen on the bbc 606 debate that its unfair that a forward should be made to take a kick but seeing that leicesters craig newby and jordan crane both took kicks and got them its not really is it.
for some reason i feel that if cardiff had got through we would'nt be seeing any moaning leicester fans or players!!
for some reason i feel that if cardiff had got through we would'nt be seeing any moaning leicester fans or players!!
DP May 05, 2009 6:44 pm
It's interesting those slagging off Leicester about being "shit" and "boring". Obviously not watched them play recently then!
Anonymous May 05, 2009 7:09 pm
I couldnt believe it when Tom James missed!! He had done soo good to score his try!!! It looked like Tom James had kicked b4 the way he placed the ball and set for his run up!!!
Anonymous May 05, 2009 10:44 pm
To the boy who thinks I should "shut the f*ck up" maybe you'd like to moderate your language? Or learn to spell the name of your own team. Ironic that you misspelled "Leicester" "Liecester".
Anonymous May 06, 2009 12:31 am
It was devastating to watch, the fact that the match came down to who had the most kickers. Surely there's a better system where three kickers from each side kick from increasingly difficult positions till the inevitable happens.
Fair play to Leicester they had a better game on the day. As the tournament went though the Blues were the better team.
Fair play to Leicester they had a better game on the day. As the tournament went though the Blues were the better team.
geraint May 06, 2009 12:16 pm
To the person who said cardiff didnt deserve to win cos they booed the kickers. You're right. They do it all the time, they're the worst in wales for it and you go down to semi pro level where the true rugby fans in wales are and you'll find complete respect.
Great tension and drama in the game, was always going to be heartbreaking for whoever lost. Overall leicester deserved to win, cardiff did well to come back though.
Great tension and drama in the game, was always going to be heartbreaking for whoever lost. Overall leicester deserved to win, cardiff did well to come back though.
Anonymous May 06, 2009 12:26 pm
Ive been to countless Cardiff matches. Never heard a boo. The only team to disrespect their oposition in Welsh rugby are the Hairsprays.
What you probably heard was BLUES!!
What you probably heard was BLUES!!
Anonymous May 06, 2009 1:56 pm
They booed Dupoy as the Tigers cheated to get him back on, self inflicted blood injuries seem to be fashionable with GP teams recently.
geraint May 06, 2009 3:05 pm
Cardiff fans boo, whistle and shout whenever an opposition kicker lines up his kick. It's pointless denying it, it happens every game, it even happens with cardiff's semi pro side.
Jonno May 06, 2009 8:34 pm
to sad little boy who told me off for my spelling...grow a dick! Its a rugby site and not a spelling competion. your just pissed cuz ure team crumbled under the pressure.
Sean Paul May 06, 2009 8:36 pm
To the guy who said that we cheated getting dupuy back on can shut up cuz u did just the same with sweeny
Anonymous March 31, 2010 7:43 pm
It certainly seems dramatic on TV, but I was at the Millenium Stadium that day, and when they announced there would be a "kicking competition" over the tannoy, the general atmosphere in around the stadium was that of "You MUST be joking!" It just felt silly.
Anonymous July 25, 2010 9:21 pm
I LOVED IT , Rugby invented penaltys not football.
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