Heineken Cup Results

Munster bounced back from their defeat at Kingsholm last weekend with a
convincing 35-14 win over Gloucester in Thomond Park. While Ulster
lost to Leicester 49-7 at Welford Road.

Munster took four tries to guarantee them the bonus point, and they move to
the top of the Pool 5 table following the powerful showing in front of a terrific
home crowd.

Gloucester did take the first score of the game, through a Henry Paul penalty,
but Munster soon took control and put their visitors under fierce pressure.
The competition was always intense, and Gloucester hooker Chris Fortey was sin
binned just 18 minutes into the game for deliberately killing the ball.

All the Munster pressure eventually paid off and Jim Williams’ drive towards
the line resulted in a Horan try. The score was originally credited to O’Callaghan,
but later a correction was made giving Horan the credit. A Paul penalty returned
Gloucester to the lead, but they didn’t stay there for long when Frankie Sheahan
made the second touchdown.

Paul, who was at his kicking best, edged his side back into contention with
another penalty, but Horan took another try before the half had ended. O’Gara
converted to push his side into a 19-9 lead at half time.Gloucester piled on
the pressure early in the second half, and fullback Jon Goodridge beat Marcus
Horan for pace and took a try in the 47th minute, but Gloucester hopes were
dashed when Paul was deservedly sinbinned for cynical play. O’Gara hit over
the resulting penalty and took another in eight minutes later to nudge his side
into an eleven point lead.

And Munster weren’t done yet, John Kelly took their fourth try of the evening
to ensure the bonus point after a cunning break from Mike Mullins. O’Gara, who
found his form as the game progressed, added on a final penalty with the last
kick of the game, to the delight of fans all over Munster.

Full Details at: www.munsterrugby.ie

It was a case of roll reversal as Leicester inflicted a 49-7 hammering on Ulster
in their second Heineken Cup encounter. Leicester always looked in control and
led 24-0 at the break, however they had had a wind advantage and Ulster fans
were still hopeful at the restart. But those hopes were dashed inside 12 minutes
when a Neil Back try and a Vesty conversion and penalty put them 41-0 ahead.

Ulster did managed to get on the scoreboard, but it was much too little and
much too late. Topping went over and Humphreys converted from a difficult angle,
but they never looked like clawing their way back into the match. Leicester
added further insult to injury before the end when Martin Johnson, who announced
his retirement from international rugby after the game, went over for the final
try of the afternoon. The result means Leicester have kept their hopes of reaching
the quarter finals alive, with two wins for everyone in Pool 1.

Full Details at: www.ulsterrugby.ie