http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZlC1eHDFx4
Ulster 22-19 Edinburgh
Ruan Pienaar was the star of the show as Ulster progressed to their first Heineken Cup Final since 1999, but Darren Cave’s monster hit on Jim Thompson will live long in the memory.
With Ulster hanging on to a precarious 19-12 lead and with only minutes left on the clock, the centre lined up Thompson from way off and caught him bang on the money in midfield with a tackle that shook the Edinburgh substitute to his very core.
Thompson must be given credit for actually holding onto the ball and he obviously wasn’t overly affected as he managed to score the Scottish side’s only try right at the death.
Brian McLaughlin’s men had been making tackles like that all evening long at the Aviva Stadium and they had to, for while Ruan Pienaar kept them ticking over with the boot, Edinburgh had plenty of possession, territory and try-scoring chances, but were kept at bay until Thompson’s try at the end.
Seth Efrikan scrum half Pienaar kicked 17 points in total, which allied to Pedrie Wannenburg’s first half try, was enough to see Ulster over the line in the end.
Not exactly a vintage performance by the Ulster men, but that will matter little now as they’ve booked their place in the final in Twickenham on 19 May.
To make it an all-Ireland affair, all Leinster have to do is travel to France and beat a side who, after themselves, are probably the best team in the competition. No biggie.
Rather than worry about that for now, however, just have another look at Cave’s humongous hit in the video above.
