Tigers progress to the Wild Card Final.. possibly!

JL
By Gaz
May 17 2004

Tigers Vs Quins - Wildcard semi final, and a 'must win'game for Tigers, which will lead to another 'must win'game. Unless Harlequins win next week, in which case the first 'must win' game becomes a 'didn't need to win game'..

Wildcard Semi 2004

... or unless Wasps win next week and Harlequins lose, in which case the second 'must win'game becomes a 'don't need to play' game. Everybody clear on that? Good!. So, to the action. Tigers signalled their intention right from the kick off, gathering the ball and launching a rolling mall that took play from our 22 to the half way line. Further good attacking play led to a penalty well within Goode's range. 6 minutes gone, Tigers 3 Quins 0.

An attack from Quins ended when Tigers won turnover ball, however the resultant Tigers attack ended when a speculative pass unfortunately went astray. Quins soon conceded another penalty, which Jaco used to take play up to the Quins 22. Soon after this, Quins attempted to clear their lines, only to have Jaco charge down the kick, and gather to score under the posts - easy conversion from Goode. Tigers 10 Quins 0. A Goode penalty a few minutes later took the score to Tigers 13 Quins 0. Quins hit straight back with a try scored and converted by Andy Dunne. Tigers 13 Quins 7. Tigers superiority in the scrum led to another penalty for Goode just before the half hour. Tigers 16 Quins 7. Referee Steve Lander then gave a controversial penalty from a lineout, where Quins were clearly more sinning than sinned against. Justice of a sort was done however, when the kick failed to find touch, and Quins were sent back to where they had started, courtesy of a kick from Healey.

It seemed as though Tigers had scored another try just before half time, however, Lander had spotted a forward pass, and awarded Quins a scrum. Just on 40 minutes, Tigers had a penalty near the Quins try line - opting for a scrum to make the best of their forward dominance. Vos looked like he needed 10 minutes rest, and Lander duly obliged. A couple of collapsed scrums later, Lander suddenly ran in the direction of the posts. It surely couldn't be? Yes it could! Penalty try for Tigers. Half time - Tigers 23 Quins 7.

Tigers started the second half as they ended the first, with the forwards using their advantage to send Neil Back crashing over for a try from a rolling maul. Tigers 28 Quins 7. The scoring continued just 3 minutes later, with a try for Geordan Murphy. Goode added the conversion - Tigers 35 Quins 7. No time to rest - Scrum half Harry Ellis added another try shortly afterwards after a break from Healey. Goode missed the conversion - Tigers 40 Quins 7. A Harlequins penalty in their own 22 missed touch by a long way - for a second time, Quins found themselves right back where they started, this time courtesy of a kick from Goode. A lapse in Tigers defence a couple of minutes later brought a try by Harlequins' Andy Dunne, which he sucessfully converted - Tigers 40 Quins 14. Jaco gave tigers a platform from a penalty by finding touch on the Quins 22, this led to a period of pressure on the Quins line, which came to an end when Tigers were penalised for holding on. Harlequins then had their own period of pressure, which came to naught as Quins knocked on. Moving into the last 5 minutes, and a controversial penalty decision from Lander (surely not?) coupled with some sloppy defending from Tigers led to a try by Monye - Tigers 40 Quins 19.

Quins turn for quick fire tries next, an unfortunate bounce eluding Goode to allow former Tiger Will Greenwood to score, with Jarvis adding the conversion. Tigers 40 Quins 26. Into injury time, and a final period of pressure from Tigers allowed Jaco to wrap up the season at Welford Road with a drop goal. Hurry back Jaco. Final score - Tigers 43 Quins 26.

Gaz's man of the match - Neil Back - tackling, ball winning etc. Mrs Gaz's man of the match - Geordan Murphy "Best bum by miles". So, is it a trip to Twickers? Well, if Gloucester win and Saints lose...no hang on that's wrong. If Wasps beat Bath....no that's not it...Ah well, we'll just have to wait and see.