Gloucester...what a win!

Played on a pleasant friday night in Agen, the match couldn't have been scripted any better. After 6 straight losses, confidence becomes an issue for any team; however, no one could tell that this was an issue by watching the game. Our players were exciting to watch - pressuring on defense and imaginative on offense.

At half it was 13-3, but with 2 missed penalties by our kicker, it could have very well been 13-9. Either way, there were opportunities being given to us, but it was in the second half where we would finally take advantage. It was quite the show to see such an amazing comeback, and after much pressure and time in there half, we tied the game at 13. There was still 25 minutes to play and the territory and possession went back and forth a bit with them scoring a penalty at the 70 minute mark. Just 3 minutes later we returned the favor to tie it once again. But with time winding down, it was there possession in our territory and everyone was trying to figure out how we were going to pull it off.

The players on the sideline knew it, the fans knew it, the coaches knew it, and in the end, the players on the field knew it too, Agen couldn't just tie this game, we needed to win. There was a missed drop goal with 3 minutes left by Gloucester, which took the breath out of everyone watching. Gloucester quickly had the ball in their possesion again and were playing in our half of the field waiting for a penalty and ultimately a game-winning 3 pointer. However, with 20 seconds left on the clock, they conceded a penalty and it was our ball. With almost no time, our Fly-half quickly kicked the ball to touch in order to gain territory just before the buzzer sounded. Then, with no time left, we were still allowed the lineout, but the next turnover or penatly against us would end the game. The lineout was won, and the forwards began mauling (in Leyman's terms, the two teams were in a big group pushing in opposite directions), from there it looked like the Red Sea opened and our earlier try scorer, the #8, peeled off the back of the maul and went for it. The giant of a man, with his deceptive speed broke one, then two tackles, he was still going and with just 5 meters left, his last advesary would finally bring him down. After being tackled his momentum carried him 1 foot from the try line and as he reached his hand out to touch the ball down the ball got caught up and it almost looked like he lost it.  But he just continued his motion and touched the line with the ball. Impossible for the ref to see it perfectly and with no time left, it was either a try, or no try, and he had to go to the video ref to answer that. Looking at the slow motion was painful, it honestly could have gone either way, but we could only hope it would be our way. Just one minute later (which is very fast for the video refs), they awarded the try and the kick was good...Agen 26 - Gloucester 19.

Having the weekend off, I didn't take part in the match. However, this weekend I'll be starting on the wing as we take on la Rochelle in our second Amlin Cup  match.