Munster 10-19 Biarritz

By Paul
June 8 2005

An understrength Munster team put in a brave performance against Biarritz, but could not get the win they needed to advance to the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup, leaving Munster supporters heartbroken after what was turning out to be a good season for the Irish province.

Munster put in a brave performance against a strong Biarritz side in the Heineken Cup Quarter-Final, but could not reach the semi-finals. When the province which has reached the final of the Heineken Cup twice, went in 16-0 down at half time, it seemed as if the floodgates would open in the second half, and Biarritz would pull away. However it was not so, as Munster came out looking for points, and it seemed like they would get them when Shaun Payne was stopped just short of the line. However David Wallace crashed over from the resulting scrum, giving Munster a much needed 5 points, Burke then converted to leave the score at 16-7. The Munster fly half slotted a penalty 10 minutes later, leaving the score at 16-10, and it seemed that we (Munster) might just do something special and take the lead. However it was not to be our day, as 8 minutes later, Biarritz slotted another penalty, to put them into a 19-10 lead. Although we (Munster) needed to score twice to win the game, it seemed as if anything was possible, with the back row arrangement of Foley, Wallace and Quinlan always looking dangerous. The final whistle, was met with more disappointment from the travelling Munster fans, who have been waiting for 7 years for Munster to win the Cup, and it looks like we will have to wait for at least another year; while the French dominance of the Heineken Cup continues.