A SCOTT WILLIAMS wonder-try helped Simon Easterby’s Scarlets to a 26 – 33 away win over Conor O’Shea’s Harlequins at the Stoop.
The pool four defeat is ‘Quins second straight European loss following Munster’s win at the venue in last season’s quarter-final and was on the card from early on as the visitors took a 13 – 0 lead thanks to Rhodri Williams’ seventh minute try and two successful kicks from Rhys Priestland.
The Welsh international would end the game with 18 points, but after the hosts came back to within a score with the help of Mike Brown’s try, Liam Williams dramatically tipped the scales back the Welsh way with a stunning 40-metre angled run through cover tacklers and over the try-line to give his side a 10 -20 lead at the break.
Harlequins would begin the second half with a Nick Evans drop-goal (he scored 16 by the end) and Mike Brown would grab a second try 12 minutes before the end to help secure the losing bonus. However, Priestland’s boot kept the Premiership side chasing the game and when the third Williams touched down in the shape of winger Jordan, Llanelli would not be caught.
Jonny May breaks clear for the Premiership side. Tim Ireland/PA Wire/Press Association Images
James Hook and Jimmy Cowan scored a try for their respective sides early in each half to leave the sides deadlocked at 16 – 16 after 45 minutes.
The scales began to unbalance again shortly after as Hook brought his tally for the day to 22, but that’s where it stayed for him and his team and it was Gloucester who would finish strongest.
Jonny May crossed the try-line to seal victory in the 75th minute and Perpignan would finish with 14 men as ex-Munster man Lifeimi Mafi was issued a straight red in the closing minutes.
Billy Twelvetrees delivered the last kick of the day, his sixth success of the night to bring his personal tally to 17 of Gloucester’s 27.
File photo of Benoit Pallague – David Jones/PA Archive/Press Association Images
Ulster’s pool five rivals, Montpellier, successfully navigated the tricky trip to Treviso with a 10 -27 win in northern Italy.
Benoit Paillaugue contributed four penalties, including the three first half kicks which gave the Top 14 side a 3 -9 advantage at half-time.
Star man Jonathan Pelissie was sprung from the bench before the hour and he would end the day with 10 points after scoring a converted try and a penalty after his introduction.
Tobias Botes did register a lone try for the hosts, but Thomas Combezou’s late try retained some gloss on the score-line.
File photo of Rory Kockott – Jacques Brinon/AP/Press Association Images
Castres set the pace for Leinster to follow in pool one after they were gifted a flying opening start in their 19 -13 win over Northampton.
The Saints looked to be closing in on the opening try, but centre Luther Burrell’s pass went to Romain Martial who used his head start on George North to good effect as he ran in a maximum score.
Rory Kockott added a 37th minute penalty to bring Castres out to a 10 – 3 half time lead and the South African would tag on three after the break to ensure Dylan Harley’s try would only be rewarded with a bonus point.
Heineken Cup wrap: Here's how 3 of our provinces' rivals got on today
A SCOTT WILLIAMS wonder-try helped Simon Easterby’s Scarlets to a 26 – 33 away win over Conor O’Shea’s Harlequins at the Stoop.
The pool four defeat is ‘Quins second straight European loss following Munster’s win at the venue in last season’s quarter-final and was on the card from early on as the visitors took a 13 – 0 lead thanks to Rhodri Williams’ seventh minute try and two successful kicks from Rhys Priestland.
The Welsh international would end the game with 18 points, but after the hosts came back to within a score with the help of Mike Brown’s try, Liam Williams dramatically tipped the scales back the Welsh way with a stunning 40-metre angled run through cover tacklers and over the try-line to give his side a 10 -20 lead at the break.
Harlequins would begin the second half with a Nick Evans drop-goal (he scored 16 by the end) and Mike Brown would grab a second try 12 minutes before the end to help secure the losing bonus. However, Priestland’s boot kept the Premiership side chasing the game and when the third Williams touched down in the shape of winger Jordan, Llanelli would not be caught.
Jonny May breaks clear for the Premiership side. Tim Ireland/PA Wire/Press Association Images
After Munster’s surprise defeat in pool six, Gloucester were the ones who eventually captialised with a 27 -22 win over Perpignan.
James Hook and Jimmy Cowan scored a try for their respective sides early in each half to leave the sides deadlocked at 16 – 16 after 45 minutes.
The scales began to unbalance again shortly after as Hook brought his tally for the day to 22, but that’s where it stayed for him and his team and it was Gloucester who would finish strongest.
Jonny May crossed the try-line to seal victory in the 75th minute and Perpignan would finish with 14 men as ex-Munster man Lifeimi Mafi was issued a straight red in the closing minutes.
Billy Twelvetrees delivered the last kick of the day, his sixth success of the night to bring his personal tally to 17 of Gloucester’s 27.
File photo of Benoit Pallague – David Jones/PA Archive/Press Association Images
Ulster’s pool five rivals, Montpellier, successfully navigated the tricky trip to Treviso with a 10 -27 win in northern Italy.
Benoit Paillaugue contributed four penalties, including the three first half kicks which gave the Top 14 side a 3 -9 advantage at half-time.
Star man Jonathan Pelissie was sprung from the bench before the hour and he would end the day with 10 points after scoring a converted try and a penalty after his introduction.
Tobias Botes did register a lone try for the hosts, but Thomas Combezou’s late try retained some gloss on the score-line.
File photo of Rory Kockott – Jacques Brinon/AP/Press Association Images
Castres set the pace for Leinster to follow in pool one after they were gifted a flying opening start in their 19 -13 win over Northampton.
The Saints looked to be closing in on the opening try, but centre Luther Burrell’s pass went to Romain Martial who used his head start on George North to good effect as he ran in a maximum score.
Rory Kockott added a 37th minute penalty to bring Castres out to a 10 – 3 half time lead and the South African would tag on three after the break to ensure Dylan Harley’s try would only be rewarded with a bonus point.
Early days, but you can view the current standings in each group here.
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