Churchill Cup
Match report by OneEyedJack, photo's by Moorsman
Churchill Cup
By OneEyedJack & Moorsman
May 31 2007
OneEyedJack gives his detailed report on the Barclays Churchill Cup game between the New Zealand Maori and Ireland A played on Tuesday 29th May at Sandy Park, home of Exeter Chiefs. Moorsman supplies a few photo's from what was a very entertaining match.
Churchill Cup
May 31 2007
OneEyedJack gives his detailed report on the Barclays Churchill Cup game between the New Zealand Maori and Ireland A played on Tuesday 29th May at Sandy Park, home of Exeter Chiefs. Moorsman supplies a few photo's from what was a very entertaining match.
NZ Maori v Ireland A
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
Sandy Park Stadium, Exeter.
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
Sandy Park Stadium, Exeter.
A warm and lively crowd welcomed the teams onto the pitch before the NZ Maori performed a variation of the imposing traditional Haka lead by a shirtless Hosea Gear in a configured arrowhead formation. The sound resonated around the full stand and terrace, a fitting precursor to what was about to be witnessed by the healthy crowd.
Ireland kick to the Maori who immediately show their intent by running back through number 8 Warren Smith before possession is turned over. The Maori repel the initial advance but the ball is distributed and the midfield opens allowing Ireland centre Darren Cave in for the first score. Johnny Sexton converts and the score is 0-7 in Irelands favour after 3 minutes.
Ireland are not allowed to settle from the restart and the Maori put the pressure straight onto the Irish who are penalised gifting the Maori a penalty opportunity which Tamati Ellison converts to make the score 3-7 after 5 minutes.
Ireland kick deep and the Maori run from deep in their own 22 with some scintillating seven’s style play before the ball is kicked up field into the Ireland half. The Maori are then penalised and Ireland have a chance to clear their lines although the Maori turn over the line out. The ball is spread and a deft kick through by Shannon Paku allows Hosea Gear to collect and score. The conversion by Tamati Ellison makes the score 10-7 after 9 minutes.
Ireland keep the ball in tight with Johnny O’Connor assisted by Irish hooker John Fogarty at the centre of a promising attack until outstanding work by Maori flanker Angus MacDonald results in a turnover. The Maori looking to play an open game keep the ball alive and through the hands which pleases the large crowd.
Bristol bound Ray Hogan looks to be in some discomfort after lengthy treatment and is replaced in the front row by Declan Fitzpatrick on 14 minutes. Ireland venture into Maori territory through driving forward play, with Ryan Caldwell looking impressive. The offload reaches Keith Earls who crosses for an unconverted try. Ireland regains the lead and it is 10-12 after 18 minutes.
Play resumes with Angus MacDonald leaving the field for a blood injury with Jared Hoeata replacing him. Ireland frustrate the Maori keeping the ball in tight and win a penalty. Ireland kicks for the corner and plays the catch and drive before being awarded a penalty. A scuffle erupts and Scotland referee Andy MacPherson issues a yellow card to Maori tighthead Ben May. Angus MacDonald resumes his place in the Maori back row.
Ireland put the pressure on the Maori but knock on short of the line. Warren Smith the Maori 8 is sacrificed for Hoani Tui in the front row for the scrum on five metres. Luke Mahoney comes on as a blood replacement for de Malamanche who requires stitches. Ireland cannot convert pressure into points and are penalised for straying beyond the back foot. De Malamanch returns to the field.
More outstanding work by the Maori, in particular the livewire scrumhalf Chris Smiley results in the Maori breaking into the Ireland half where they are awarded a penalty. Tamati Ellison misses a simple chance on 29 minutes.
The Maori look to penetrate the Irish midfield where Ireland resort again to handling in the ruck. The Maori opt for a kick to the corner as the sin bin expires. Ben May and Warren Smith both return to the field on 33 minutes. Sustained pressure leads to the Maori crossing the line but the referee refers it to Geoff Warren the TMO. The try is awarded to full back Shannon Paku which Tamati Ellison coverts. 17-12 on 36 minutes.
Ireland looks to attack but fail to penetrate the Maori line who turn the ball over and again attack the Ireland out wide. Leicester scrumhalf Frank Murphy illegally prevents the ball from being played and is yellow carded on 39 minutes. The Maori scrum five metres out and pressure the Ireland tight five. Somehow, Ireland fly hack it back into the Maori half but are penalised and the Maori run it back. Tamati Ellison breaks and goes over for a try which he converts. Half time and it is 24-12 in favour of the Maori.
The Maori look to penetrate the Irish midfield where Ireland resort again to handling in the ruck. The Maori opt for a kick to the corner as the sin bin expires. Ben May and Warren Smith both return to the field on 33 minutes. Sustained pressure leads to the Maori crossing the line but the referee refers it to Geoff Warren the TMO. The try is awarded to full back Shannon Paku which Tamati Ellison coverts. 17-12 on 36 minutes.
Ireland looks to attack but fail to penetrate the Maori line who turn the ball over and again attack the Ireland out wide. Leicester scrumhalf Frank Murphy illegally prevents the ball from being played and is yellow carded on 39 minutes. The Maori scrum five metres out and pressure the Ireland tight five. Somehow, Ireland fly hack it back into the Maori half but are penalised and the Maori run it back. Tamati Ellison breaks and goes over for a try which he converts. Half time and it is 24-12 in favour of the Maori.
The second half kicks off and Ireland immediately put pressure on the Maori. A five metre scrum is picked up by Roger Wilson who drives for the line but the ball is adjudged to have been knocked on in contact and the Maori win the turnover. The ball out is again run out and the pace of Hosea Gear outstrips the Ireland defence and he crosses under the posts for the first score of the second half. Ellison converts making the score 31-12 after 45 minutes.
Ireland are now continually put under pressure and concede a throw deep in their 22. The Maori win the line and spread the ball wide where Ireland encroaches offside in midfield. Maori prop Ben May drives over for a try after some tight driving play which Ellison converts. 38-12 after 51 minutes.
Frank Murphy returns to the field after his sin bin and Ireland win a penalty and make ground into the Maori 22. The Maori are penalised for pulling down the maul and Ireland look to attack the line but knock on gifting the Maori the chance to clear their lines.
Ireland look helpless in the onslaught and some weak passing gift the Maori possession on the half way line which the Maori capitalise on. Maori prop Ben May powers over from 40 metres out for his second score of the evening which Ellison converts. 45-12 on 61 minutes.
Ireland again attacks the Maori backline but is beaten by the width of the pitch. The Maori uncharacteristically gift possession to the Irish who waste the opportunity and are penalised in their own half for holding on again. The Maori spread the ball wide although the Irish defence puts them under pressure before they knock on trying to intercept. The Maori knock on from the base of the scrum and the feed is reversed.
Some good Ireland play sees them just short of the Maori line where a physical defence manages to hold them out. The Maori concede a penalty which is taken quickly which replacement scrumhalf James Rodley halts at the expense of a yellow card akin to Murphy’s in the first half. Ireland spread the ball for Daren Cave to go over in the corner for his second score of the evening. Sexton is wide with the conversion. 45-17 on 75 minutes.
The Maori respond with pressure on the Irish and the ball is spread wide but Ireland turn over possession. Chris Keane replaces Frank Murphy and is immediately involved making good ground. The Maori fail to clear their lines effectively allowing Ireland to sustain their pressure. Space in midfield is exploited before spreading the ball wide for replacement prop Dave Gannon to cross for an unconverted try. 45-22 on 80 minutes
The Maori reply is instant and the long kick is chased and gathered by Callum Bruce to score in the corner. Dwayne Sweeney misses the conversion with the last kick of the match for an impressive crowd pleasing final score of 50-22 in favour of the Maori to set up an encounter with the England Saxons at Twickenham.
Ireland are now continually put under pressure and concede a throw deep in their 22. The Maori win the line and spread the ball wide where Ireland encroaches offside in midfield. Maori prop Ben May drives over for a try after some tight driving play which Ellison converts. 38-12 after 51 minutes.
Frank Murphy returns to the field after his sin bin and Ireland win a penalty and make ground into the Maori 22. The Maori are penalised for pulling down the maul and Ireland look to attack the line but knock on gifting the Maori the chance to clear their lines.
Ireland look helpless in the onslaught and some weak passing gift the Maori possession on the half way line which the Maori capitalise on. Maori prop Ben May powers over from 40 metres out for his second score of the evening which Ellison converts. 45-12 on 61 minutes.
Ireland again attacks the Maori backline but is beaten by the width of the pitch. The Maori uncharacteristically gift possession to the Irish who waste the opportunity and are penalised in their own half for holding on again. The Maori spread the ball wide although the Irish defence puts them under pressure before they knock on trying to intercept. The Maori knock on from the base of the scrum and the feed is reversed.
Some good Ireland play sees them just short of the Maori line where a physical defence manages to hold them out. The Maori concede a penalty which is taken quickly which replacement scrumhalf James Rodley halts at the expense of a yellow card akin to Murphy’s in the first half. Ireland spread the ball for Daren Cave to go over in the corner for his second score of the evening. Sexton is wide with the conversion. 45-17 on 75 minutes.
The Maori respond with pressure on the Irish and the ball is spread wide but Ireland turn over possession. Chris Keane replaces Frank Murphy and is immediately involved making good ground. The Maori fail to clear their lines effectively allowing Ireland to sustain their pressure. Space in midfield is exploited before spreading the ball wide for replacement prop Dave Gannon to cross for an unconverted try. 45-22 on 80 minutes
The Maori reply is instant and the long kick is chased and gathered by Callum Bruce to score in the corner. Dwayne Sweeney misses the conversion with the last kick of the match for an impressive crowd pleasing final score of 50-22 in favour of the Maori to set up an encounter with the England Saxons at Twickenham.
I know where my money would be!
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