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By staff writers
May 15, 2009 After an emotional season on and off the field, the Brumbies' Super 14 campaign is all but over after a narrow 10-7 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton.
The Brumbies needed a win to move into the top four and have a chance of playing in the finals, but the highly-fancied Chiefs held their nerve to assure themselves of a home semi-final.
After both Stirling Mortlock and Stephen Donald missed early penalty shots at goal, the Brumbies opened the scoring after 33 minutes.
Winger Francis Fanifo chased down an Adam Ashley-Cooper grubber kick after the fullback made a break on the Chiefs' 22. Mortlock converted from the sideline to make it 7-0.
The Chiefs replied almost immediately when Stephen Donald crashed over after an expansive backline move. Donald converted to level the scores at half-time.
The match descended into an arm wrestle in the second half when the heavens opened, with the Brumbies holding firm despite several strong attacking raids by the Chiefs.
Donald missed his second penalty of the night on 57 minutes when he hit the post after the Brumbies conceded another penalty. The Chiefs continued to have the better of possession and territory but couldn’t break through a determined Brumbies defensive line.
But the Brumbies ill-discipline finally caught up with them with 12 minutes left when Huia Edmunds was yellow carded after an infringement under the Brumbies posts. Donald converted to give the Chiefs a 10-7 lead.
Despite trying desperately to score a crucial try in the final few minutes, the Brumbies fell short as the Chiefs recorded their ninth win of the season.
While the bonus-point loss does move the Brumbies into fourth position, they need the Waratahs, Sharks and Crusaders to lose this weekend to reach the finals.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...002381,00.html
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Originally Posted by mudskipper
