INTERPROS
After a penalty try conceded, two tries called back by the TMO for offside, a Coetzee yellow just before halftime and a Rea red just after...Timoney pinching a late losing BP try for Ulster when it “wasn't their night” was something of a miracle. Connacht lost Marmion and their 1st try scorer O’Halloran early but dominated the scrums and were stubborn on D, securing the end to their 58-year winless streak in Belfast with an interception score from Aki.
LEINSTER'S EURO OPPONENTS
(BATH & TOULOUSE)
Yet another high-scoring bosh-free Premiership encounter. Both teams showed their Euro-worthiness in patches but after trading territory kicks, unforced errors and the lead for three quarters, it was Exeter who had the extra bit of class to pull away. Priestland played a decent 10 for Bath and in Rokadoguni and Cokasinga they always look dangerous going forward although Freddie Burns didn't look right at 15. Here they got a good sense of their December task against Leinster.
Nothing "aristocratic" about this Toulouse victory! They had close to a full-strength lineup yet in horrible conditions at the Stade Ernest-Wallon it took a yellow card to create the space for Bezy to score and even then the final pass looked forward. That the final score was reached after 25m speaks volumes - both sides struggled to cross the opposition 22 let alone tryline. The Toulouse D did hold out an Agen purple patch early in the second half.
OTHER PRO 14 CONFERENCE B
(SCARLETS & EDINBURGH)
An absorbing Welsh derby where Rhys Patchell made the difference. Despite the visitors dominating the early possession, the outhalf helped put McNicholl through for the game's first score, then when absent for an HIA, his side conceded two tries courtesy of Allen and North. But he returned for the 2nd half and clinched the 4pts with a try of his own. Nigel Owens missed two Osprey yellows IMO and a late try from pacy winger Luke Morgan pinched a BP.
A game of three halves, if you will. Edinburgh won the first 13-0 with the help of some impressive high-tempo movement of the ball through the backs though Toolis applied the finish. Once the Cheetahs cut out the unforced errors they took the second 21-7 with Maxwane's pace scoring two and creating another. Finally the home side powered to the bonus point thanks to further close range tries from MotM Mata and Ritchie close to the end.
