Skrela, Mason heroes of the day
Colomiers to face Ulster in European Cup final
Posted: Sunday January 10, 1999 11:30 AM
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Derek Topping celebrates at the final whistle as Ulster beats Stade Francais 33-27 AP |
BELFAST (Reuters) -- Simon Mason kicked 20 points to put Ulster into the final of the European Cup for the first time on Saturday with a 33-27 victory over French side Stade Francais.
The Ulster fullback hoisted his points tally in this season's tournament to 126 as he spearheaded a formidable home effort to leave the much-fancied French champions floundering.
In front of a capacity 20,000 crowd at Ravenhill -- the biggest crowd in 40 years at the ground -- Mason got to work in the third minute when he kicked the first of his five penalties.
Ulster's cause was given a further boost after 15 minutes when flanker Steve McKinty was driven over the line for a try after a line out.
The Frenchman hit back with the first of two close range tries by number eight Christophe Juillet and at halftime they were only one point adrift at 11-10.
But home skipper David Humphreys stretched Ulster's lead when he started a move in his own 22 and ended it by racing 50 meters up the right touchline to score an excellent try which Mason converted.
Another Mason penalty and a Humphrey's drop goal extended the home lead to 14 points midway through the second half.
Stade Francais battled back with Juillet's second try and a third try for replacement flanker Marc Lievremont.
But nothing was going to deny Mason or Ulster and the fullback showed nerve in the closing 15 minutes when he hammered home three more penalties to cap an historic day for Ulster rugby.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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