For two of us this was our third game against Newcastle as Irish supporters. Last year at the Madstad Sam was in hospital so only Dan and Jon got to the game which was the rainy 6-9 loss. Our other experience of Falcons games was the European Cup Semi (away) which still ranks as LKR’s most memorable and scary game - with Irish well ahead and a strong Falcons comeback leading to a narrow 22-27 win. So driving through the showers to get to the game the thoughts turned to which of these games it would be like.

To make sense of this report you may need to know a little about our family. LKR is usually one of the less optimistic of supporters (one of the 3 predicting a loss today!) Dan is a bit of a “statto” and can remember detail that the rest of us have long since forgotten, his new mini Bodhran was making its debut in the West stand today (we’re not that quiet really!) Jon has problems identifying players and tends to get names mixed up which is a bit worrying as he was taking the notes today! and Sam is the rules and signals expert and can often be heard explaining refs’ decisions long after play has moved on, he also has a remarkable ability to spot a forward pass even when it happens at the other end of the pitch!

Anyway on to the game, we arrived slightly late for us (although not as late as many who got stuck on the M4.) As the ground had just opened we headed straight to the seats. We’ve moved this year to the north end so that we can watch the warm up and check that the team looks like the one announced in the week! (Did anyone notice that the screen said next game is away to Sale (again!)) It looked like Riki was going to play with Topsy wearing one of the red bibs & tights for the warm up so no surprises when our team was announced but again that Deja vu feeling with Delon and Tagi on the wings and Topsy on the bench. Jon’s been arguing that this was the way to play since last year with one of the three as an impact wing saved as sub for the last 20 minutes. Just as he was just beginning to accept that Delon at Full back was the way to go (not just because John A tells us he likes playing there!) we’re back to last year’s positions.

The notes imply that the first exchanges involved lots of kicks. Eventually Delon made a break down the right wing that lead to a ruck and penalty for use of hands, Shane lined up the kick and Irish moved into a lead that was never to be relinquished. Two more penalties were conceded by Newcastle, one for a high tackle and one for use of the elbow in a line out. According to the touch judges Shane missed both but from the West the second of these looked good.

I’m trying to avoid the obvious approach of comparing one England number 10 against the other but my next note says Jonny kicks out on the full. I don’t think Shane did that all game (although one rolled over the dead ball line) and while Jonny’s kicking percentage was 50% (1 of 2) Shane’s was 75%! (6 of 8)

At this point Irish were attacking in front of us, Newcastle cleared the line with a kick to touch and the touch judge signalled for a throw to Newcastle, eventually Mr Rowden and the touch judge sorted out the signals and Irish had the throw.

Irish’s next moves of note lead to the first try of the game. Sailosi was involved in the move twice and made a break towards the line, the ball was taken on by Murphy to two metres out, quickly recycled along the back line and Tonga went over in front of the drummers. Shane made the conversion (10-0 to Irish.)

The next incident “down our end” led to a yellow card. A ruck had formed and Russell’s head could be seen sticking out of the Falcons side. A fist appeared and a punch was thrown which connected, it was clearly a penalty but it was impressive of the touch judge to spot that Mc Donnell was the guilty party as we could only see the top of the player’s head and fist.

The next 10 minutes were to prove important. As Mc Donnell left the pitch Shane kicked to the corner, the throw came in and the pack drove towards the line. Russell rejoined the back and a 2nd phase began with Russell and half the Irish pack driving over. The Stadium announcer said “we think Bob Casey scored” but we think it was Robbie Russell! (17-0)

Six minutes later and Irish scored again. A ruck formed on the right, the ball came across the backs to Mapusua who evaded a few tackles to cross the line (24-0). 29 minutes gone and three tries already. The boys who are more confident than Mum and Dad were already giving us the bonus point!”

With 7 minutes to go in the half, Irish gave Falcons their first kickable penalty, right in the middle of the pitch in front of the posts, Wilkinson kicked to the corner and a couple of lineouts followed. At both of these Irish were penalised for pulling down mauls. We began to worry about cards and penalty tries. Eventually Irish secured position due to a holding penalty. Shortly afterwards Catty kicked from our 22. The ball went straight from one 22 to the other, took one bounce, turned right and rolled out of play. Panic over for now!

The throw in was won by Newcastle and kicked to Riki who ran back towards the Newcastle line. During this move Ashley blew his whistle and awarded a penalty to Newcastle. I’m sure he was right to do this but think I may need another meet the ref evening to understand why!

Robbie went off with an injury to be replaced by Paice. In the final play of the half Dodge was close to scoring and seemed to be taken out without the ball while closing in on the try line. Jonny kicked to touch and the break came.

The prize for the ultimate seat competition was won in the lower west very close to where we used to sit!

The second half started, Steffon collected the ball from the back of the ruck and moved forward. As Irish approached the try line a forward pass was given as the ball was moved between Murph and Delon.

Irish won a line out on the Falcons throw but Bob was penalised for closing the gap. There was an incident in the corner of the ground that we can see least well where the ball appeared to cross the line but was brought back to give Irish a penalty. Collins replaced Tonga who, given the “fitness test” that he went through before the game, had lasted very well to this point.

Newcastle started to get more possession and Irish’s defence became more desperate. Paice was penalised for a high tackle and left the field. Newcastle chose the scrum but were somewhat hampered as with Robbie already injured the scrum was uncontested. Steffon was away from the scrum quickly and Irish managed to clear appearing to make a break with lots of football skills shown by various players. Unfortunately (according to Sam) Catt was offside when kicking forward. Steffon was now acting as hooker and throwing into the line out. Nick needed a new pair of shorts which were replaced on the pitch much to the amusement of the ladies around us.

After this we had a very dodgy period (Last year we called the first 20 minute of the second half “the dodgy 20 minutes.” It seemed to happen again in this game (Deja Vu?) but actually lasted for about 25 mins. The Newcastle backs suddenly seemed to be able to get the ball and we suddenly didn’t seem able to make a tackle. First, Flood crossed the line and Jonny made the conversion.

Steffon was then picked up for a high tackle but ran back quickly with a smile and didn’t get a card, (two off at once could have been interesting) Murph was replaced by JML

LKR was heard to say “we’re going to throw it away, I can feel it.” and ask if anyone wanted anything from the shop. (Since the Newcastle away game last year if games are within 10 points she usually hides her eyes from the last 10 minutes)

Newcastle continued to attack and Irish conceded a line out deep in our own territory. Irish won the line out but the ball back was messy and picked up by a Newcastle player as it came across the backs and overlap was available. Delon rushed from the defence and missed a tackle and Phillips went in at the corner. Sam was beginning to worry now stating “don’t throw it down the toilet!”

With 9 minutes to go Shane won the ball just inside our own half and kicked, it rolled over the line to give a scrum back, panic was beginning to arise in all and yet we were still 12 ahead.

With 6 minute to go the key action of the game took place (according to the BBC news I’ve just watched anyway!) as Jonny limped off (with Digger’s help!) either with cramp or hamstring injury depending on who you believe.

With one England number 10 off the pitch Shane now clearly took over. Tagi made a break down the left wing and passed to Riki. After a couple of short phases Shane made a break through the middle and scored under the posts (31– 12). Dodge and Catty were then withdrawn with Topsy and Ben Willis coming on. Again (Déjà vu) shades of last year with subs made to withdraw key players with the game won and a bonus point secured.

However the scoring wasn’t finished, Steffon made a break up the middle with Delon racing up behind to offer support on his right. Steffon chose other players to his left and a few seconds later Shane was in and under the posts. (38-12 or Shane 23 Jonny 2!)

The final whistle came shortly afterwards and we prepared to greet the players and thank them for a great display. Unfortunately the powers that be at the stadium decided they needed to stage an exercise involving an evacuation of the south stand (Shame it wasn’t last year as nobody would have been there!) The players were quickly led off the pitch as we all left the ground.

We usually stay in the West stand to clap all the players off the pitch, however because this wasn’t an option for the first time we decided to stay at the ground after the game and wait for the players to come out. So LKR and Dan headed to the hotel while Jon and Sam went to sample the Craic in the North Stand. This was fun and allowed us to check some elements of this report. It did however delay our usual in car discussion of player performance.

When we drive back to London down the M4 we usually agree player by player on the performance with a few words. To end this report here is a summary of this discussion for the first 15 (some of these phrases come up very regularly!)

15. Riki: V good FB 14. Delon: Solid, even out of position 13. Mapusua: Big hits, 12. Catt: Irish need experience more than England! 11. Tagi: Breaks and boots! 10. Shane: 2 tries and 75% kicking 9. Dodge: Quick and defensive 8. Murphy: Solid, good start 7. Steffon: quiet for him (Jon thought) but still great. 6. Roche: Didn’t see much (not unusual for us with a no 6!) 5. Nick: Good lineout 4. Bob: Good lineout 3. Tonga: Great after that fitness test! 2. Russell: V good and try! 1. Hatley: Very good especially tackling in dodgy period.

Attendance 9999 plus us!

Referee: Ashley Rowden

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