Close … but no cigar
The early May Bank Holiday ends today following a weekend boasting the Semi-Finals of European club rugby’s premier competition the Investec Cup and – after two thrilling and entertaining games – for both of the English Premiership’s leading attacking outfits taking part (top of the table Northampton Saints and the Harlequins) it became a disappointing case of “What might have been”.
On Saturday afternoon, at Dublin’s Croke Park, the Saints gave a heartening and resourceful account of themselves, coming back strongly in the second half to give hosts and favourites Leinster a significant fright in an eventual 20-17 loss.
Yesterday (Sunday) it was Quins’ turn.
Away in the south of France in summery conditions they pitched their game against another of the Top 14’s French heavyweights Toulouse and also came off second best, this time by the margin 38-26.
The Londoners also “took it to their hosts” in the second stanza – and at one stage seemed within a whisker of potentially pulling off a remarkable victory – but eventually the host’s outstanding all-court game, together with an either stupid or unluckily-judged “clear out” by the yellow-carded Quins hooker Jack Walker that reduced the visitors to 14 men, did for them.
For those that might wish to see it, here is a link to my selection as the best British newspaper report of yesterday’s game, written by Gerard Meagher of – THE GUARDIAN
So there we have it. On both days the best team of the two duly progressed to the Final that will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday 25th May.
It should be a cracker.
