THE WAIT IS OVER ...

Horizon Sports bring you the latest news from tonights matches:
THE GAME IS ON …
On a damp, windy and miserable night in both Paris and London it can be only be said that no-one would have walked away from the games disappointed. The break away cup event could have been in danger of being a wash out (literally) in its opening night … instead it was a showcase for club rugby.

Horizon Sports were at both grounds to bring you all the action … firstly we visit Vicarage Road in North London where in terrible conditions a good crowd turned out to see the match. The atmosphere was tense from the start as Saracens were on the pitch to ‘greet’ their local rivals with strains of the Who’s classic song, “Who are you … who who are YOU?” belting out over the PA.

This clearly rattled Wasps as their early play was dire, fighting against the gale force wind they were pinned down in their 22m for most of the first half. An early break by the winger Haughton in the corner was easily converted with assistance from the wind by Russell. Wasps kick off was literally blown back in their face and the resulting passage of play saw poor handling skills from Wasps allow the big ex league centre Farrell to plough the line and under the posts. As this point of the game it was looking far too easy for Saracens and then completely against the run of play Voyce, the Wasps full back, managed to snap up a ball and have an easy run under the posts at the stroke of half time. One of the few times Wasps had even seen the ball saw them going in only 7 points down.

The half time talk from Dalalgio must have been a corker as Wasps showed a never say die spirit in the second half. An over confident looking Saracens took the field only to see Russell completely slice the kick off and taken by the wind it sailed out, not making the ten yards required. It was obvious that Wasps were a team with a mission as they assaulted the Saracen line again and again. The visiting fans and their coach Steve Fase were fuming as a series of very late tackles and one straight arm, which if it had been spotted would have been a red card, thwarted their every move. The game slipped by and it looked like Saracens had held on to the victory.

The final hooter went and it was at this stage things went wrong for Saracens. From up in the commentary box it seemed like the raging wind was muffling the advice from the Saracens coach McTague as the Saracens looked as if they were keeping the ball in play looking for the bonus ‘try fest’ point. Solid defending kept them out and after a few near run (and yet another dodgy tackle from Saracens) attempts from Wasps the Saracens fly half finally called to the scrum half to give him the ball so he could boot the ball out. However he fumbled the kick and managed to knock on giving Wasps an excellent mid field position on Sarries 22!

A well worked peel off the back and pass to Voyce saw him crashing over the line … the crowd were hushed as the conversion attempt sailed over with the wind behind it … the teams went in tied at 14 all. The air in the Saracens dressing room was blue as the coach laid into the team. Wasps put up a spirited fight and in the end deserved to come away with a draw. I am sure we will hear from the coaches tomorrow!

Meanwhile over in Paris the expectant Parisian crowd braved the conditions. They had every reason to feel optimistic. There home form was excellent and the arrival of the World Cup winning coach added to the feeling that this was going to be their year!

This feeling lasted about 2 minutes … Lund caught the kick off as it veered off its intended target in the wind. The flanker made an excellent break (hand off and two break away cards) down the right wing and it appeared all Stad could do was stand and watch. Only an excellent covering tackle by Corletto saved the try. But the Stad players were left stranded as the Shark players descended on the ball. The muddy conditions obviously added to the difficulty of gathering from the ground in open play and the rucks and Thomas saw the ball squeeze from his hands for a knock on. The Stade spectators gave a sigh of relief, this is not what they had come to watch. It seemed that Stade were rattled by the opening few minutes and at the scrum Sale took the ball against the head. A break away from Chabal at number 8 was only just stopped by some solid Stad defending. It was at this point that Sale Sharks began to bite … they threw everything except the proverbial kitchen sink at the Stad line. Stad were pinned down in their 22 for the first time in ages. The cross wind made clearance kicks to risky and the crowd were treated to open running rugby which was reminiscent of Sevens play. Considering the conditions this was amazing stuff, but Stad couldn’t break out of their half and Sale assaulted the try line again and again. The Parisian crowd were worried but the Stad defence held firm, a number of game saving tackles being made only 3m out. Bergamasco and Lienberg making some fine tackles. A huge sigh of relief went around the ground as Hernandez kicked the ball out to end the half with both teams scoreless. One could only wonder if the Sharks were going to pay dearly for failing to make the extreme pressure pay.

They didn’t have to wonder for long however as the second half started with Hodgson, who had had an excellent game thus far, make a very bad kick off. The wind carried the ball over the dead ball line and the French team were quick to ask for the scrum back. An open side darting break from Fillol the scrum half saw good support play from Corletto who picked up and passed inside to Saubade who crashed over under the posts. The Sharks looked stunned as they watched the Hernandez conversion sail over. After 90% of possession in the first half they found themselves trailing 0-7 after a few minutes of the second half kick off. It was Stad’s turn to pile on the pressure, from the kick off the French team broke up the middle of the pitch, a number of players crashed through tackles and it was Saubade, the big winger, who again was lunging for the line. This time it was closer as the Ref went to the TMO to see if he had made a double movement over the line. The verdict was a try and the English club side looked gutted. Only the swirling wind sending the conversion wide gave them a little to be cheerful for.

Parisse succumbed to the pressure of the match, failing to catch the kick off. It suddenly looked like the Sharks would make a come back. Close pack play from Sharks forwards saw Sheridan catch a pop pass, put his head down and go for the line. Only a De Villier tackle and Bergamasco managing to drive Bruno into touch after he had picked up saved the try. Stad were under pressure again, a line out from their own 5 yard line. This was the gutsiest play of the match as Blin threw over the back to Parisse. A risky move but it saw the French team break down their left wing. A few excellent passes and blurring speed from Dominici (one of the rare smooth pass and break away card combinations) saw Stad on for the third bonus point try. Only 2 Shark players were close and the crowd erupted as Hodgson took Dominici out with a straight arm tackle, the referee missed this infringement and then rubbed salt in the wound by penalising Dominici for not rolling away. Hodgson decided against the kick in the gale force sidewind conditions and gave it to the pack to tap and go. Again the Stad defence held out for a few vital phases. But they took the ball into a ruck which just before the hooter sounded the Referee said ‘not coming out lads,’ awarding the scrum to the Sharks. 10m out this was the chance they needed to reduce the score and maybe get a vital ‘close game’ point.

Again Chabal broke, again the Stad defence held firm until a combination of quick passing saw an overlap on the left. The final pass let them down and from a snaffled ruck Hernandez received the ball and not trusting the wind ran into touch to end the game. Both sets of supporters gave the players a standing ovation as they left the pitch … if this was the standard of games the audience were in for then it seemingly justified the break away challenge cup … bring on next week!!