Parker Pen Permutations update

By Jason Harris
October 14 2002

With the first leg ties over, the picture of who'll go through to the Parker Pen Challenge Cup is more clear. Some sides are already through after big wins, but some ties are still on a knife edge and could go either way.

TOP HALF OF THE DRAW

The last 16 contenders

L'Aquila 14 - 58 Colomiers.

It's not quite yet time to book your Christmas shopping expedition in Toulouse as the draw to see which one of Sarries and Colomiers will play the first leg at home has yet to take place. But it's a safe bet after Saturday's result in Italy that the French side will be Sarries' opponents in round two with the second leg at Stade Selery (great name) to come.


The quarter final contenders


Grenoble 12 - 19 Newcastle

Newcastle should win the return leg at Kingston Park. Especially if the seasonal weather we're now experiencing continues until the weekend. I wonder how many Geordies made the trip to what is probably the most picturesque setting for a rugby ground I think I've ever seen?

Treviso 22 - 9 Castres

"A shock" said the BBC report. Rubbish! Treviso are no mugs at home (just ask Wasps) and this result is one that I thought would happen. Whether a 13 point advantage will be enough for the Italians to take the tie after the second leg remains to be seen, but I think they'll hold on. Besides, I can't go back on my prediction of last week now, can I?


The semi final contenders


Ebbw Vale 20 - 16 Montauban

So the French turned up this time! I don't think Vale will be able to hang on to the four point lead they have after the firs leg and Montauban will go through as predicted last week.


Madrid 22 - 73 Borders

A huge win for the Scottish pros against the Spanish part-timers. Expect more of the same this weekend and for an intriguing tie against Montauban next time out.


GRAN Parma 3 - 40 Bath

The expected big win over Parma's second-best outfit means that Bath are effectively through.

Pau 18 - 6 Bridgend

Bridgend are the seeded side here and Pau will do well to maintain their 12 point lead over Gareth Thomas, Dafydd James and co. I reckon they'll just scrape through and heap more misery on the hapless Ravens.