But a 70m team try to Luke Morahan in the 56th minute sparked life into the Force, with skipper Matt Hodgson and reserve hooker Heath Tessmann also scoring to make matters interesting.
The moment recalls the two German soldiers in gentle communion in "All Quiet on the Western Front": "We are two men, two minute sparks of life; outside is the night and the circle of death".
David Sullivan and David Gold, West Ham's co-owners, were escorted from their seats in the 84th minute, sparking derisive jeers from the seething protesters, who chanted for the board's removal.
It had been an extraordinary occasion, with one glance off the head of Kostas Manolas in the 82nd minute sparking scenes of pure elation among the locals, and nobody should criticise Roma for reacting as if they had just become champions of Europe.
A goal by Stephen Hunt in the 90th minute sparked controversy as it appeared not to have crossed the line.
Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen, who hit 11 of his game-high 28 points in the final two minutes, sparked the Eastern Conference's 134-128 victoverover their Western counterparts, holding off a late surge after their 74-65 cushion at half-time had been eroded.
However, the defences of each club were proving disciplined until a mistake by Black Cats midfielder James McClean after 25 minutes sparked a spell of Spurs pressure.
However, it had no bearing on the outcome as Celtic saw out the final minutes, sparking jubilation at the final whistle. .
The try in the 37th-minute sparked a five-minute purple patch either side of half-time which saw the Scarlets turn a 10-3 definto into a 24-10 lead.
At this point, with both games level at 1-1, Morocco were exiting the tournament on the number of yellow cards they had picked up - so their goal after 82 minutes sparked wild celebrations.
