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Amlin Challenge Cup Saturday Review
April 13, 2012
France scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili's 75th-minute penalty ended a gallant Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final fightback by Wasps as Biarritz claimed a 26-23 win.
Wasps battled back from 23-9 down to level the scores at 23-23 before being sunk by Yachvili who produced a 100 per cent kicking display, landing four penalties and converting first-half tries by former England full-back Iain Balshaw and prop Eugene Van Standen.
Wasps replied with tries from winger Christian Wade and centre Ryan Davies, with fly-half Nick Robinson landing both conversions and three penalties.
Biarritz will be at home to the winners of Sunday's clash between French side Brives and Welsh region Scarlets in the semi-finals
Harlequins' hopes of becoming the first side to retain the trophy came to a disappointing end with a 37-8 defeat at the hands of a Jonny Wilkinson-inspired Toulon.
The former England fly-half kicked 17 points in a faultless display with the boot, despite being replaced two minutes into the second period.
Tries from Sebastien Tillous Borde, Benjamin Lapeyre and former London Irish flanker Steffon Armitage ensured Quins were unable to repeat December's famous Heineken Cup triumph at Toulouse and set up a semi-final showdown with Stade Francais.
Stade booked their second successive semi-final as Samoan centre Paul Williams snatched a late try to see them edge past Exeter 22-17.
Exeter's hopes of European silverware go on hold as the Devon side now have to turn their attention to securing a Heineken Cup place for next season and a push for an Aviva Premiership semi-final slot.
The teams were tied at 17-17 in the latter stages, after four penalties by Ignacio Mieres and a try from Sireli Naqelevuki for Exeter.
Extra-time seemed likely, but Williams pounced for the decisive try in the 79th minute to shatter the visitors.
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