Exiles stunned by Bourgoin
Bourgoin pulled off an extrordinary 32-30 win at London Irish to reach the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup.
Last Updated: 10/04/09 12:20am
Bourgoin held on for an unlikely 32-30 over London Irish to reach progress to the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup.
The French side looked to be easing into the final four as they sat on a ten-point lead with time almost up.
But in a dramatic finale, England lock Nick Kennedy kicked a drop-goal before flanker Steffon Armitage went over in the corner to present the hosts with the opportunity to force extra-time.
However, brother Delon - who kicked 17 points in the encounter - failed with the conversion to end home hopes and leave the Guinness Premiership as the Exiles' sole route for Heineken Cup qualification next season.
Tight opening
Armitage kicked a couple of early penalties during a tight opening to the contest with Bourgoin staying on terms thanks to a penalty from Morgan Parra and a Benjamin Boyet drop-goal.
They fell behind on five minutes after centre Charlie Gower was penalised for holding on and French international scrum-half Parra slotted a simple three points from in front of the posts.
Armitage drew Irish level after a Bourgoin offside after 10 minutes and was then involved in a scintillating break with wing Sailosi Tagicakibau that was only halted by Boyet's tackle.
The full-back notched another penalty soon after but having missed one attempt earlier, Boyet made it 6-6 with a drop goal.
Another Bourgoin offence at the ruck allowed Armitage to put the home side ahead on the half-hour mark, only for prop Tonga Lea'aetoa's high tackle to give Parra the chance to establish parity again.
On the stroke of half-time, Irish produced the fine move of the match when Peter Hewat's kick to the corner just bounced over Seilala Mapusua's head, but a subsequent penalty allowed Armitage to send his side in 12-9 to the good at the interval.
But it was Bourgoin who came flying out of the blocks after the break and good hands from Yann Labrit, Bogdan Leonte and Jean-Phillipe Genevois helped put full-back Anthony Forest away to touch down - Boyet adding the extras.
Pressure
Armitage then missed a straightforward penalty on 50 minutes, but Irish did get the score their pressure merited when Topsy Ojo's break set up a platform from which Mapusua eventually forced his way over. Armitage converted for a 19-16 advantage.
However, Irish indiscipline let Bourgoin back in and two rapid Parra penalties saw the French outfit get their noses back in front at 22-19 - the second of which was saw Exiles replacement Chris Hala'Ufia sin-binned for a high tackle.
Another Armitage penalty made it 22-22 with ten minutes remaining, but Bourgoin responded again when Boyet dropped a goal and substitute Matthieu Nicolas intercepted an ambitious pass from Mapusua to go under the posts.
There was still time for Kennedy to kick an unlikely drop-goal, though, and deep into added time flanker Armitage's score was given the thumbs up by the television match official - only for his brother to push the conversion wide.
