UBB lost to the wire against Harlequins, who advanced to the semi-final. This first quarter-final of the Champions Cup between Union Bordeaux-Bègles and Harlequins turned to the advantage of the English (41-42). Completely dominated in the first half, the Bordelais were able to react in the second half, but a missed transformation from Maxime Lucu cost them the victory. The Quins are now waiting for their opponent, who will be either Stade Toulousain or Exeter.
After winning quite easily in the round of 16 against Saracens, the Girondins found another London team, Harlequins, to hope to qualify for their second European Cup semi-final. Under the blazing sun of Chaban-Delmas, Yannick Bru’s men had great difficulty getting into their match. In the third minute, the locals were surprised by scrum-half Will Porter, after having stopped playing.
Maddeningly efficient in the first period, the Quins took advantage of their second dangerous opportunity to provoke a voluntary forward from Matéo Garcia, and therefore a penalty try (9th). Then numerically inferior, the Girondins were able to react, through their captain. Maxime Lucu revived his team following a winning ball (20th).
The UBB collided with the mature “Porter”
The UBB’s flamboyant attack then got underway, scoring a second try to come back to the score thanks to Romain Buros (26th). But the French hopes did not last, since Danny Care’s replacement, Will Porter, continued his sublime match with a second try on the counter (30th). Impressive in managing the game, the scrum half illustrated the realism of his training. Completely revived, the English converted a new situation to return to the locker room with an advantage of sixteen points (12-28).
Remotivated, the Bordelais started the second half in the best possible way. Perfectly launched by Ugo Boniface, Nicolas Depoortere was able to flatten a corner to put the Girondins back in the match (43rd). Then this second half became completely crazy, each team going blow for blow. If the Bordeaux attack once again put on a show, this time they came across an attack better than theirs.
Yannick Bru’s players were unable to contain the opposing offensives, and the difference came down to efficiency. After the tries of Alex Dombrandt (58th), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (60th), Sam Riley (68th) and the untenable Tyrone Green (73rd), Madosh Tambwe scored a double including a second try which could have been the victory, if Maxime Lucu had not missed his transformation against the posts. It’s cruel for the UBB, but it’s the law of sport.