THE TWO FAVOURITES, Toulon and Leicester, both won their pool three openers this weekend, but the issue of bonus points is already proving important. Yesterday, Ulster came away with a losing bonus point in Leicester while denying the home side a try bonus point and today, Toulon could only cross the whitewash three times in a 28-18 home win against the Scarlets.
Toulon were expected to romp home against the Welsh side but the visitors refused to roll over. The game was evenly matched early on, with Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Priestland trading penalties before a moment of magic from Matt Giteau produced the first try of the game.
The Australian sliced through the Scarlets defence before exchanging passes with Maxime Mermoz and touching down. Ten minutes later the Scarlets took the lead after John Barclay crashed over from close range on the back of a Scott Williams run.
Rather than kick on from their try, the Scarlets gave one up right away. The man who made the first try, Scott Williams, took too long over his kick and Mermoz was able to charge him down before gathering to score.
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The game petered out a little after that with Halfpenny kicking two penalties to Priestland’s one before Steffon Armitage scored Toulon’s third and final try to put the game out of sight.
Toulon couldn’t get that all-important fourth try though, and Kristian Phillips scored a late consolation five-pointer for the visitors.
Toulon hold off spirited Scarlets but don't get bonus point
THE TWO FAVOURITES, Toulon and Leicester, both won their pool three openers this weekend, but the issue of bonus points is already proving important. Yesterday, Ulster came away with a losing bonus point in Leicester while denying the home side a try bonus point and today, Toulon could only cross the whitewash three times in a 28-18 home win against the Scarlets.
Toulon were expected to romp home against the Welsh side but the visitors refused to roll over. The game was evenly matched early on, with Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Priestland trading penalties before a moment of magic from Matt Giteau produced the first try of the game.
The Australian sliced through the Scarlets defence before exchanging passes with Maxime Mermoz and touching down. Ten minutes later the Scarlets took the lead after John Barclay crashed over from close range on the back of a Scott Williams run.
Rather than kick on from their try, the Scarlets gave one up right away. The man who made the first try, Scott Williams, took too long over his kick and Mermoz was able to charge him down before gathering to score.
The game petered out a little after that with Halfpenny kicking two penalties to Priestland’s one before Steffon Armitage scored Toulon’s third and final try to put the game out of sight.
Toulon couldn’t get that all-important fourth try though, and Kristian Phillips scored a late consolation five-pointer for the visitors.
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All-Ireland Senior HC European Rugby Champions Cup missed opportunity Scarlets Toulon