It was a dull day when we piled into the car and set off in a westerly direction along the M4. Although we had been planning to go to Newport, an essential family commitment meant that was un-do-able, so our westward journey ended at J12 and we meandered through the rolling Berkshire countryside to the metropolis of Thatcham where we were confident of a warm welcome and plenty nibbles. I had packed my laptop so I could write my report as it happened, and so here it is…

As with so many games, the opening minutes always look a bit messy and this was no different so much so that for the first 5 minutes there was little to remark upon. However, the game started to come alive and on 06:00 Dragons missed the first penalty of the afternoon.

The next phase of play ended up with a penalty to Irish on 09:00; Hewitt wasn’t going to miss a gift like that and calmly slotted the ball for a small but welcome lead. 0-3

The next few minutes were something of a revelation to this London Irish supporter. I don’t think I’ve ever seen tries come in such a flurry. In fact, they came so fast that I was still writing notes about the first when the second was scored!!

De Vedia was the scorer in question for the first and second tries, the first on 10:47 and the second an indecently hasty couple of minutes later. By the time the clock said 12:00 minutes played the score was 0-17

Play continued with both sides looking for the chances but Dragons rarely finding them. Turn over ball with a few missed tackles saw Mike Catt crossing the line with Hewitt again adding the extras. The clock said 19:10 and the score line said 0-24

22:30 minutes played and Irish were penalised for slowing the ball down and this time the Dragons were able to take the points, 3-24

The crowd were getting noisier, probably in anticipation of the home team starting to get into their rhythm!

Sorry Dragons supporters!

24:50 Line out to Irish won but a horrendously bad pass from Big Bad Bob to Catt resulted in the ball being lost – not for long though. Another line out and the ball was back in Irish hands.

27:00 Dragons lost a line out and were penalised for the throw not being straight, the resulting Irish scrum led to a period of fast play which culminated in Delon daintily plopping the ball down over the line so there we were with our 4 tries. And it’s not even half time. Hewitt converted to make it 3-31 and a bonus point to boot! If only home games could be this enjoyable and reassuring to watch!

31:00 Dragons were turned over but Irish were penalised. Dragons surged forward but spilled the ball forward. The following Irish scrum saw the ball being fired the length of the pitch. The Dragons seemed to be pulling together better and worked their way back into Irish territory. They were trying very hard to get a try but Irish were equally determined they weren’t. Irish were penalised and Dragons went for the corner. They won their throw in and continued making inches before Michael Owen reached over the top of the body mountain and grounded the ball. 39:30 on the clock and the scoreboard reads 10-31.

From the restart Irish were deep in Dragons half but the Dragons were working hard to get them away from the danger zone. Irish were penalised and sent back 10m but then Dragons were caught crossing so Irish decided it’d be rude not to go for another 3. Hewitt stepped up and hit it well but short.

Half time!

From the restart, Geezer was tackled hard and Dragons were penalised. Irish won the line out and the resulting drive looked good before the ball was chipped forward and collected by Dragons who immediately got pinged for accidental offside. Irish pressed forward but lost possession and Dragons collected the ball and powered away before, thankfully, being subjected to a fantastic tackle by Delon. The ball was gathered up again by Dragons but they spilled it forward. Irish won the resulting scrum but Catty was caught in a hard position. Irish failed to find touch but did gather the ball from a Dragons chip and then kicked to touch. Dragons fluffed the line out and Tagi kicked the ball forward Mapasua collected it, passed it back to Tagi who, when tackled, passed it to Kennedy who surged triumphantly over the line. Hewitt converted and on 48:00 minutes it’s 10-38. The supporters around me were going wild!!!

From the restart, Dragons worked hard to push into Irish territory and progressed well. Only feet from our line they seemed faced with a wall of solid Irish muscle and only inches from the line they spilled it forward.

De Vedia stormed down the wing before being tackled and bundled into touch. Irish regained possession and hoofed the ball up the pitch where Dragons no11 missed the catch and the ball fired into touch off his foot – the supporters around me are close to losing control, so great is their merriment!! Irish won the line out but lost possession.

A couple of replacements for the Dragons seemed to unsettle them and their mistakes led to Irish securing a line out but the ball switched between the sides with no points being won. Dragons bad boy (no3) had to be warned by the Referee for going where he was neither wanted or needed with his elbow and shoulder and Irish were awarded the ball which they managed to lose before being penalised; Dragons kicked to touch for a line out which they won. Their 11 broke free before Irish woke up and stopped the proceedings. Dragons were trying hard and Irish were penalised for off side only feet from our line. Still the Dragons tried to break through and then finally the Ref called for the TMO who rather strangely awarded the try. The supporters around me were not overly impressed.

The try converted made the score 17-38 with 68:52 played. And Steffon is coming on!!

Dragons had a line out just inside their own half which was won by Irish but the kick collected by Dragons.

Dragons started looking much more determined but Steffon wasn’t having any of that and saw one of the Dragons big blokes off. The Ref told Big Brave Bob that was a little unnecessary but I think he’s mistaken, I think Bob does too! So do my companions. We love Steffon!!

Irish spilled the ball forward when winning a Dragons throw in so they were awarded a scrum not far enough from our line for us to feel relaxed. Irish held firm and didn’t let us down though. We collected a loosely thrown ball and made serious ground before a chip and chase was collected by the Dragons who took us back to half way before Delon intercepted the ball and loped off at a gentle canter (adopted almost certainly from the Ministry of Dodgy Gaits) to dive gracefully over the line for his second try. Hewitt converted to leave us on 79:00 minutes played and 17-45 on the board.

Dragons heads were beginning to drop but they were still playing hard.

Topsy on for Hewitt and rather unfortunately his first touch was a knock on. However, there was no cost to Irish and the Ref decided enough was enough. 84:00 minutes played and the final score was 17-45.

I have to say I thought the Ref had a good game, he was not overly noticeable from my seat on the sofa and tried to let the game flow. I’m glad I didn’t have to choose Man of the Match because I’d struggle. A poll of the supporters around me suggested the following as MotM:

Mapasua
Kennedy
Kennedy
Kennedy

So basically from our feather-filled viewing platform, Nick Kennedy was the star of the show.

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