Biarittz crowned cup kings
Dimitri Yachvili kicked Biarritz to their first ever European title following a 21-18 victory in the Amlin Challenge Cup final.
Last Updated: 18/05/12 10:12pm
Dimitri Yachvili eclipsed Jonny Wilkinson and kicked Biarritz to their first ever European title with victory over Toulon in the Amlin Challenge Cup final.
Yachvili landed all seven of his penalty shots at goal but the final strike was wrapped in controversy because the French scrum-half, arguably, should not have been on the field.
Toulon had drawn level at 18-18, with five Wilkinson penalties and a trademark drop-goal, and had all the momentum when Yachvili's sly tackle from an offside position stopped a potential try.
The officials did not see the one-handed tap tackle that led to Sebastien Tillous Borde passing the ball straight into touch. It was a yellow-card offence.
Stranded
Biarritz moved downfield and, with nine minutes remaining, Yachvili stroked the kick over to clinch a vital 21-18 victory for the Basque outfit at the Twickenham Stoop.
Toulon had hung in there all game despite Yachvili's kicking masterclass and Wilkinson was in position for a last-gasp drop-goal attempt that would have brought extra-time.
But the Toulon pack left him stranded, conceding a penalty on the eighth phase of the attack that confirmed Biarritz's victory.
Biarritz had to win to qualify for the Heineken Cup for a 13th consecutive season after finishing ninth in the Top 14 following a disappointing domestic campaign.
The relief and joy was evident from the reaction of senior players like Damien Traille, while Toulon and Wilkinson now have to turn their attention to the Top 14.
Toulon, beaten Amlin Challenge Cup finalists in 2010, face Racing Metro in the Top 14 quarter-finals next weekend.
