Heineken Cup Semi Final- Saracens v Clermont

[LittleGuy]

Well that's the end of that chapter....very underwhelming game for the neutral, Saracens are value for their win they've really taken their chances well and Clermont despite all the possesion and territory haven't threatened a whole lot. They've been pretty poor today and it seems like after the game went 21-6 they have been more worried about getting out of Twicks healthy for the rest of the Top 14 season.

Owens hasn't been as good as he usually is, but I don't think it's effected the result that much, maybe it would be slightly closer but the scoreline is so wide that isn't really much to complain about, the empty seats have marred the atmosphere considerably although the fans present have done their best it looks pretty poor when the camera draws out.

 

[Patchey]

Of p*ss off Ashton.


Sarries have been the best team by far though.

 

[Thingimubob]

I'm watching it on Italian TV, great fun. No Miles Harrison or Barnes to ruin it, all I can understand is the names of players! Bliss.

Definitely envy you! Can;t bloody stand the Sky commentary teams...

That said, there's something awesome about watching rugby in a foreign language still remember how Billy Vunipola got changed to Binny Bunipola by that South American commentator.

 

[Patchey]

This is very similar to the 'Binny Bunipola' incident in the Consur game. I LOVE the way they're saying Jackson Rray instead of Wray.

 

[Aristodemus]

Where the hell has this Ashton been?

 

[Jaguares]

Finally Premirship beat Top 14

 

[TRF_Olyy]

More like cLOLmont, am I right?!

 

[bakakumon]

Good game, Schalk Brits

 

[Jaguares]

Well done, Marcelo "Chelo" Bosch!

 

[gaston le gaff]

Lights are on but nobody's at home, Clermont could not deal with the Sarries defence then Sarries played of their errors and scored try after try, the yellow and penalty try harsh but correct, James knocked it out with the outside of his arm, i now understand why no one likes Ashton bar Ashton!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So no all French Final, will there be a French side in the final i think so but if Toulon play like Sarries they will lose
Good Job i collect excellent Malts and have no problems for drowning sorrows, lets hope tomorrow brings JOY!!!!!!!!!!!
Well played Sarries deserved victory...............

 

[ratsapprentice]

Well that's the end of that chapter....very underwhelming game for the neutral, Saracens are value for their win they've really taken their chances well and Clermont despite all the possesion and territory haven't threatened a whole lot. They've been pretty poor today and it seems like after the game went 21-6 they have been more worried about getting out of Twicks healthy for the rest of the Top 14 season.

Owens hasn't been as good as he usually is, but I don't think it's effected the result that much, maybe it would be slightly closer but the scoreline is so wide that isn't really much to complain about, the empty seats have marred the atmosphere considerably although the fans present have done their best it looks pretty poor when the camera draws out.

Agree with that - except that the two decision to not award the Clermont try and to give the penalty try would have had a big influence on the game.

Once Sarries get a lead they are very comfortable and shut games down - very few sides beat them if they get ahead before half time.
Clermont are mentally fragile and they clearly lost a bit of intensity after those decisions.

As monumental as Sarries defense was - defense is not entertaining by itself - if the team they are defending against are offering nothing in attack then it's just dull.
Impressive... but ultimately - dull.


What was very noticeable today was the influence of Wigan's (RL) attack pattern - those stab passes behind a screen of dummy runners.
Not seen Sarries use them before.

 

[Big Ewis]

Nothing to be said (but I'm still gonna say smt ). Toulouse crushed in Munster was enough of a surprise, but then again...this right here, I never ever would've bet on that result. I thought the Saracens had a little bit of luck earlier, esp. with that Brock James play, or other moments too...but it didn't matter all that much in the end. They held ASM Clermont completely try-less, and those early opportunities seem a lot more important now than they did as they happened.
They suffocated Clermont, that never really got into rhythm. The French side looked fine in the second half of the first 40min, but then as the second half started it was all lost. The Saracens were just on the right dynamic today, and the gods just weren't behind Clermont. I don't mean this as in Clermont just weren't lucky, I just mean when you're on your day, everything else is flowing and the more you score the more confidence on attack and defense, the more you believe, the more risks you take because you're comfortably ahead...etc...

The Saracens crushed Clermont tonight, absolutely crushed them and congratu-fkng-lations. 100% deserved. The much better team tonight. I'm not even that bummed over it because Owen Farrell deserves this, he's been a good kid. Chris Ashton has proved his haters (me clearly included !! ) wrong tonight. Burger was ubiquitous. Both Vunipolas were strong. Even Goode was alright ffs.
It's a 'mild' case of David beating Goliath so I have to salute that and I do feel justice was served tonight, although the Sarries' roster isn't exactly pathetic either, so just a mild case, but in depth that's the thought for tonight.

 

[munstermuffin]

Definitely that's end of an era for Clermont now I think.

 

[j'nuh]

Agree with that - except that the two decision to not award the Clermont try and to give the penalty try would have had a big influence on the game.

Once Sarries get a lead they are very comfortable and shut games down - very few sides beat them if they get ahead before half time.
Clermont are mentally fragile and they clearly lost a bit of intensity after those decisions.

As monumental as Sarries defense was - defense is not entertaining by itself - if the team they are defending against are offering nothing in attack then it's just dull.
Impressive... but ultimately - dull.


What was very noticeable today was the influence of Wigan's (RL) attack pattern - those stab passes behind a screen of dummy runners.
Not seen Sarries use them before.

Speak for yourself. I thought the most fascinating part was how Sarries defence completely shut down any momentum on Clermont's side. It wasn't that Clermont offered nothing; it's that Sarries didn't let Clermont offer anything.

 

[Patchey]

More like cLOLmont, am I right?!

Tee hee.



Poor from Clermont but very good defense and work in the forwards from Sarries. I don;t grudge them the win and don't buy the 'underserved finalists' thing. I just wish Ashton would vannish.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Definitely that's end of an era for Clermont now I think.

Aye, they'll have to rebuild, which they will, if it hadn't been for Leinster they'd have won at least one HEC imo.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Speak for yourself. I thought the most fascinating part was how Sarries defence completely shut down any momentum on Clermont's side. It wasn't that Clermont offered nothing; it's that Sarries didn't let Clermont offer anything.

I'm not saying that Clermont were in a position to play some sort of sevens game - but they just didn't really seem to try anything other than running straight at Sarries 10m out from the last breakdown/set-piece.
Clermont looked like they just didn't really care for the last half an hour.

I could not see any sort of pattern to their attack at all - perhaps that speaks more about my understanding of back-play... I'd be interested to hear what others think.

 

[SimonG]

French club sides have always been a bit flaky away from home. They love their home comforts but once they travel they look flimsy. The UK/Ireland teams have more bottle.

 

[LittleGuy]

I'm not saying that Clermont were in a position to play some sort of sevens game - but they just didn't really seem to try anything other than running straight at Sarries 10m out from the last breakdown/set-piece.
Clermont looked like they just didn't really care for the last half an hour.

I could not see any sort of pattern to their attack at all - perhaps that speaks more about my understanding of back-play... I'd be interested to hear what others think.

I agree Rats, there was a certain malaise that creeped into their game especially so in the final ten, they still have some serious Top 14 competition ahead so I don't think there was any sort of desperation to win the HC at all costs. After Farrell's try the body language of Clermont seemed to be get us out of here.

 

[Gavin]

I was at the game and must admit that the only atmosphere came from the Clermont fans. They really do like to make noise and it was fantastic sitting with them.