Challenge Cup Round 2 Round-Up
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Dragons stamped their authority on Challenge Cup Pool 1 on Friday afternoon with a comprehensive 49-22 win over Enisei-STM in Krasnodar
Tries from Bjorn Basson and Jeremy Jordaan gave the Russian side the lead after Dragons went ahead early on through Jordan Williams, but the Welsh region responded to make it 14-14 at the interval with a crucial score from Arwel Robson, who bagged 19 points in the victory.
The second half was dominated by Dragons who piled on points in the closing stages as Ben Fry, Will Talbot-Davies, Ellis Shipp, Daf Howells and finally Tyler Morgan all crossed the whitewash.
FULL-TIME!
A dominant second-half sees @dragonsrugby storm to a seven-try victory in Russia! 🐉#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/yyOGdHKU3k
— Challenge Cup (@ERChallengeCup) November 22, 2019
Full match report via epcrugby
Pau get off the mark in style
Pau bounced back in style from their European Rugby Challenge Cup Round 1 loss at Leicester last week with a nine-try home victory over Rugby Calvisano on Friday in Pool 5.
The TOP 14 team, third in their domestic competition, had won nine of their previous 10 games against Italian opponents and victory No.10 never looked in doubt as they wrapped up a try bonus point by the 38th minute on their way to a 35-3 half-time lead.
With scrum-half Clovis Lebail landing eight conversions from his nine attempts, Pau cruised to their eighth consecutive home victory in the competition. Full match report via epcrugby
Bristol storm clear at head of Pool 4
Bristol Bears staked a firm claim to finish first in Pool 4 of the European Rugby Challenge Cup by storming to victory in their top-of-the-table clash at Brive on Friday.
The visitors virtually sealed their success by the 25th minute, by which time they were 24-0 ahead in the first meeting between the clubs. Full match report
Jalibert denies Edinburgh with late penalty
A late penalty from Bordeaux-Begles captain Matthieu Jalibert snatched a dramatic draw for the French side in their top-of-the table clash with Edinburgh Rugby at BT Murrayfield in Pool 3 on Friday.
The fly-half struck with two minutes on the clock to crown a fine second-half fightback from Bordeaux, after they had trailed 13-6 at the interval. Full match report
Belleau thwarts brave Scarlets challenge
Anthony Belleau was RC Toulon’s hero as he kicked a last-gasp conversion to leave Scarlets with only a losing bonus point to show from a thrilling European Rugby Challenge Cup tie between Pool 2’s leading two teams on Friday.
Despite being reduced to 14 men on the stroke of half-time after a red card for lock Tevita Ratuva, the Welsh region led 16-10 going into the dying seconds following a superb second-half display, which brought penalties for Ryan Lamb and Dan Jones, who also dropped a goal. Full match report
Castres Olympique cruise to win over Worcester Warriors
Castres Olympique continued their winning streak in Europe on home soil when they beat Worcester Warriors 17-9 in the Challenge Cup at Stade Pierre Fabre.
Ryan Mills led out the visitors to mark his 100th appearance for the club, and they got off to the best start when Duncan Weir opened the scoring for Warriors with an eighth-minute penalty. Full match report
Wasps wrap up bonus point win over Agen
Wasps enjoyed a thumping victory against Agen in the Challenge Cup, wrapping up a bonus point with a 32-14 triumph at the Ricoh Arena.
In an even first half, Agen made the first breakthrough, Loris Tolot racing down the left wing to cross the line, and Hugo Verdu converting.
Ashley Johnson got Wasps’ first try after the home side’s persistence at the maul, with Jacob Umaga slotting the conversion to draw them level. Full match report
London Irish edge high-scoring bonanza against Bayonne
London Irish finished on top against Bayonne in a high-scoring Challenge Cup match, winning 45-31 at the Madejski Stadium.
And with seven tries on the board, the hosts grabbed themselves a bonus point to add to their tally in Pool 2. Full match report
Stade Francais get past Zebre in close encounter
Stade Francais Paris edged a finely-balanced match against Zebre Rugby Club in Pool 4 of the Challenge Cup, winning 12-13.
The crowd at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi saw Stade on the front foot from the off, with Gael Fickou crossing the line after just three minutes and Nicolas Sanchez adding the conversion.
It was the boot of Sanchez that ultimately proved decisive as he added two penalties in the space of six minutes towards the end of the first half to stretch Stade’s lead. Full match report
Hardwick’s last ditch winner settles bruising battle with Cardiff
Leicester Tigers fly-half Tom Hardwick landed a dramatic penalty in the dying seconds to defeat Cardiff 14-11 and send his side top of Pool 5 in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
The sides were locked at 11-11 from the hour mark after Hardwick had wiped out his side’s three-point half-time deficit. Full match report
