Tropical Storm Geraghty blasts through Dax
By bisach
December 9 2008
It was almost like being there ... well almost. I opened the window to allow the icy weather to make me feel like being in Dax. I drew the line though and didn't allow Sarah to pour cold water over me when she returned home after shopping for the cats’ sardines.
December 9 2008
It was almost like being there ... well almost. I opened the window to allow the icy weather to make me feel like being in Dax. I drew the line though and didn't allow Sarah to pour cold water over me when she returned home after shopping for the cats’ sardines.
As what Graham described later as a tropical storm washed the stands clean in Dax and the fortunate/unfortunate travelling support huddled with the locals in the rafters of said stands, I sat in front of my PC to join the rest of the LI support listening to Graham and Paddy’s dulcet tones describe LI’s latest victory on European soil.
Apparently the world angling authorities are looking into using the middle of the Dax pitch for one of their European rounds of deepwater fishing. It was raining in Dax. Did I already mention that?
Sailosi Tagicakibau got the scoring underway touching down for a try under the posts after 3 minutes with a typical run after a pass from Seilala Mapusua. Peter Hewat’s conversion made the score Dax 0 London Irish 7.
Apparently all the local lumber yards have been getting a visit from a certain Monsieur Noah. It was raining in Dax. Did I already mention that?
The "Great loyal band of travelling London Irish supporters" were spotted by Paddy “huddled together like penguins”. I think they were queuing for Sou’westers at the time.
The half progressed with more talk about the weather than the game. Half way through there’d only been one scoring opportunity. The officials must have been above average as Graham and Paddy had hardly mentioned them either. Graham even agreeing with them when they pulled Tagi back after a forward pass from Elvis looked to have put him clean through.
32 minutes had passed when a quick ball off the lineout went down the line to Steffon and on to Shane who’s long pass on to Hewat then gave Sailosi the opportunity to go water skiing into the corner, scoring the try 2cm from the touch line. Both Graham and Paddy agreed Peter’s attempt at the conversion was an “excellent effort”. It’s miss however left the score at Dax 0 – London Irish 12.
The local art school had to give up their water colouring class at this point as nothing would stick to the canvas. It was raining in Dax. Did I already mention that?
Just before the half time whistle, Diaz and Mapusua "almost embrace". Official "shrugs" at Casey. Context is, of course, everything.
Half time was upon us and we were half way to a bonus point. BBC Radio Berkshire allowed Graham and Paddy to go and get some dry clothes and allowed Stevie Coppell to squeeze in and tell us about Reading FC’s latest exploits. I think the black balls that Pans mentioned then wouldn’t have been any good, even under floodlights.
As the second half was about to start, the Dax players dragged “themselves with little or zero enthusiasm onto the pitch"
The conditions are obviously having an effect on the game. It was raining in Dax. Did I already mention that? After London Irish had won an infrequent penalty, Peter Hewat kicked the ball right into the corner. Bob Casey won the ensuing lineout and another quick ball saw Paul Hodgson get the ball out to Shane who’s pass to Tagi was dropped.
The locals, in the mean time, had been tempting Graham over to the wild side with hot beef baguettes.
The weather had got to Neal Hatley’s head. With so much water around he obviously though he was “sur la plage” as he was still wearing his shorts. . It was raining in Dax. Did I already mention that?
The Dax player Mazel obviously hadn’t changed his kit at half time so decided to kill the ball at a breakdown so that he’d could take 10 minutes to get changed.
Toby decided that this would be a good time to get some fresh, un-waterlogged legs on and Murphy and Hudson came on for Corbisiero and Roche.
The boys in white, (well it was white at the start of the half,) continue to put pressure on the Dax defense by opting for a scrum at the yellow card penalty. Unfortunately, in the ensuing play, Chris Hala’Ufia is penalised just short of the line for “not releasing”.
One of Dax’s infrequent scoring opportunities is squandered when Elvis’s pass is intercepted and, clean through, the Dax player decides to pass on to his team mate who knocks on.
Maybe if they’d scored, Shane wouldn’t have shimmied through a minute later to score on 56 minutes after Hala’Ufia had smashed into the defense 5m short of the Dax line. Hewat converts it and the score is now Dax 0 – London Irish 19. Is the bonus point on?
The Stade Maurice Boyau synchronised swimming club are making notes on Shane’s legwork as they’re practising in the centre pitch swimming pool. . It was raining in Dax. Did I already mention that?
Seilala Mapusua makes way for Charlie Gower before a Hewat/Geraghty combo almost gets the 4th try, the ball being turned over just short of the try line. James Buckland then comes on for David Paice.
On 68 minutes, Shane dummies the Dax defense and gets to the try line again. This time Big Bob Casey (or was it Sailosi? I couldn't see from where I was sitting either.) touches down for the 24th point of the night and the 15th, and maximum point, in the table. Peter missed this conversion. I think he was concentrating on emptying his boots of water at the time. It was raining in Dax. Did I already mention that?
Alfredo Lalanne, Gary Johnson and Clarke Dermody come on for Paul Hodgson, Steffon Armitage and Tonga Lea’aetoa. I’ll leave you to decide who replaced who.
I wonder if the Argentinian Pampas is as wet as Dax? Alfredo Lalanne certainly made himself feel at home quite quickly as 3 minutes later, after a “brilliant run” by Peter Hewat, he scores the 5th try of the night. Peter makes it Dax 0 - London Irish 31.
Another scoring opportunity soon follows but the discussion about Dax being one of the only Spa towns left in France ( I wonder where they get their water from) must have confused our players as Dax intercept a pass and … knock on when they should have scored.
With less than a minute to go credit must be given to the Dax players as, instead of kicking the ball to touch after a scrum, they try to trouble the scorekeepers themselves. They’re constantly being driven backwards though and have to give away a penalty. Elvis Seveali’i dummies the defense and touches down for the 6th try of the night. Peter Hewat finishes the game with a successful conversion to make the final score Dax 0 – London Irish 38.
At that point Sarah decides it’s time for us to have some nice haggis broth in our nice warm, dry house. Did I already mention it was raining in Dax?
Finally, a big thanks to Graham and Paddy who braved the conditions in Dax to bring us the details and all the co-editors of this report who braved the warmth of their homes to contribute to this report, as it happened, on the night.
Apparently the world angling authorities are looking into using the middle of the Dax pitch for one of their European rounds of deepwater fishing. It was raining in Dax. Did I already mention that?
Sailosi Tagicakibau got the scoring underway touching down for a try under the posts after 3 minutes with a typical run after a pass from Seilala Mapusua. Peter Hewat’s conversion made the score Dax 0 London Irish 7.
Apparently all the local lumber yards have been getting a visit from a certain Monsieur Noah. It was raining in Dax. Did I already mention that?
The "Great loyal band of travelling London Irish supporters" were spotted by Paddy “huddled together like penguins”. I think they were queuing for Sou’westers at the time.
The half progressed with more talk about the weather than the game. Half way through there’d only been one scoring opportunity. The officials must have been above average as Graham and Paddy had hardly mentioned them either. Graham even agreeing with them when they pulled Tagi back after a forward pass from Elvis looked to have put him clean through.
32 minutes had passed when a quick ball off the lineout went down the line to Steffon and on to Shane who’s long pass on to Hewat then gave Sailosi the opportunity to go water skiing into the corner, scoring the try 2cm from the touch line. Both Graham and Paddy agreed Peter’s attempt at the conversion was an “excellent effort”. It’s miss however left the score at Dax 0 – London Irish 12.
The local art school had to give up their water colouring class at this point as nothing would stick to the canvas. It was raining in Dax. Did I already mention that?
Just before the half time whistle, Diaz and Mapusua "almost embrace". Official "shrugs" at Casey. Context is, of course, everything.
Half time was upon us and we were half way to a bonus point. BBC Radio Berkshire allowed Graham and Paddy to go and get some dry clothes and allowed Stevie Coppell to squeeze in and tell us about Reading FC’s latest exploits. I think the black balls that Pans mentioned then wouldn’t have been any good, even under floodlights.
As the second half was about to start, the Dax players dragged “themselves with little or zero enthusiasm onto the pitch"
The conditions are obviously having an effect on the game. It was raining in Dax. Did I already mention that? After London Irish had won an infrequent penalty, Peter Hewat kicked the ball right into the corner. Bob Casey won the ensuing lineout and another quick ball saw Paul Hodgson get the ball out to Shane who’s pass to Tagi was dropped.
The locals, in the mean time, had been tempting Graham over to the wild side with hot beef baguettes.
The weather had got to Neal Hatley’s head. With so much water around he obviously though he was “sur la plage” as he was still wearing his shorts. . It was raining in Dax. Did I already mention that?
The Dax player Mazel obviously hadn’t changed his kit at half time so decided to kill the ball at a breakdown so that he’d could take 10 minutes to get changed.
Toby decided that this would be a good time to get some fresh, un-waterlogged legs on and Murphy and Hudson came on for Corbisiero and Roche.
The boys in white, (well it was white at the start of the half,) continue to put pressure on the Dax defense by opting for a scrum at the yellow card penalty. Unfortunately, in the ensuing play, Chris Hala’Ufia is penalised just short of the line for “not releasing”.
One of Dax’s infrequent scoring opportunities is squandered when Elvis’s pass is intercepted and, clean through, the Dax player decides to pass on to his team mate who knocks on.
Maybe if they’d scored, Shane wouldn’t have shimmied through a minute later to score on 56 minutes after Hala’Ufia had smashed into the defense 5m short of the Dax line. Hewat converts it and the score is now Dax 0 – London Irish 19. Is the bonus point on?
The Stade Maurice Boyau synchronised swimming club are making notes on Shane’s legwork as they’re practising in the centre pitch swimming pool. . It was raining in Dax. Did I already mention that?
Seilala Mapusua makes way for Charlie Gower before a Hewat/Geraghty combo almost gets the 4th try, the ball being turned over just short of the try line. James Buckland then comes on for David Paice.
On 68 minutes, Shane dummies the Dax defense and gets to the try line again. This time Big Bob Casey (or was it Sailosi? I couldn't see from where I was sitting either.) touches down for the 24th point of the night and the 15th, and maximum point, in the table. Peter missed this conversion. I think he was concentrating on emptying his boots of water at the time. It was raining in Dax. Did I already mention that?
Alfredo Lalanne, Gary Johnson and Clarke Dermody come on for Paul Hodgson, Steffon Armitage and Tonga Lea’aetoa. I’ll leave you to decide who replaced who.
I wonder if the Argentinian Pampas is as wet as Dax? Alfredo Lalanne certainly made himself feel at home quite quickly as 3 minutes later, after a “brilliant run” by Peter Hewat, he scores the 5th try of the night. Peter makes it Dax 0 - London Irish 31.
Another scoring opportunity soon follows but the discussion about Dax being one of the only Spa towns left in France ( I wonder where they get their water from) must have confused our players as Dax intercept a pass and … knock on when they should have scored.
With less than a minute to go credit must be given to the Dax players as, instead of kicking the ball to touch after a scrum, they try to trouble the scorekeepers themselves. They’re constantly being driven backwards though and have to give away a penalty. Elvis Seveali’i dummies the defense and touches down for the 6th try of the night. Peter Hewat finishes the game with a successful conversion to make the final score Dax 0 – London Irish 38.
At that point Sarah decides it’s time for us to have some nice haggis broth in our nice warm, dry house. Did I already mention it was raining in Dax?
Finally, a big thanks to Graham and Paddy who braved the conditions in Dax to bring us the details and all the co-editors of this report who braved the warmth of their homes to contribute to this report, as it happened, on the night.
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StumbleuponTropical Storm Geraghty blasts through Dax
Posted by: The Craic www.londonirish.org (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2008 00:27
Tropical Storm Geraghty blasts through Dax
Re: Tropical Storm Geraghty blasts through Dax
Posted by: LI Lynn (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2008 11:51
Was it raining in Dax, then Bill?
Re: Tropical Storm Geraghty blasts through Dax
Posted by: Props are not stupid (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2008 11:55
I suspect the travelling supporters were not only wet in the outside, but also in the inside... Hence Bisach had to volunteer to do the match report.
Well done, Bill, and thanks.
Well done, Bill, and thanks.
Re: Tropical Storm Geraghty blasts through Dax
Posted by: mulledwinemarie (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2008 13:11
I HAVE NEVER NEVER EVER BEEN THAT WET!!!!!!!!!!!
MWM
GLORY GLORY London Irish - and loving it -
MWM
GLORY GLORY London Irish - and loving it -
Re: Tropical Storm Geraghty blasts through Dax
Posted by: Carlovian (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2008 14:43
"Huddled together like penguins" ???? Mind you, by the end of the evening I think we all had webbed feet.
K
K
Re: Tropical Storm Geraghty blasts through Dax
Posted by: waltham (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2008 15:08
Funny thing about Dax...the locals seem to to appear in hotels at breakfast dressed in - well, dressing gowns and flip-flops...Now that we've arrived back - everything straight into the washing machine. Well done Bill - that report does seem to sum it up.
Re: Tropical Storm Geraghty blasts through Dax
Posted by: Matt of London Irish (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2008 15:11
Bill
I'm glad I didn't volunteer to do the report as
1) The rain blew straight into our faces in the Tribune de Face
and
2) By half time I was pretty insensible anyway.
Matt
Sortzez Ingles, London Irish et Aviron Bayonnais Jainkoari esker
London Irish Supporters Club - Salies-de-Béarn Branch
I'm glad I didn't volunteer to do the report as
1) The rain blew straight into our faces in the Tribune de Face
and
2) By half time I was pretty insensible anyway.
Matt
Sortzez Ingles, London Irish et Aviron Bayonnais Jainkoari esker
London Irish Supporters Club - Salies-de-Béarn Branch
Re: Tropical Storm Geraghty blasts through Dax
Posted by: LI in LA (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2008 16:47
Thanks Bill - appreciate it. Blame global warming.
Re: Tropical Storm Geraghty blasts through Dax
Posted by: JohnMcm (IP Logged)
Date: 10/12/2008 22:53
I wonder why no mention is made of the LI followers enjoying the 60 degree spa in the middle of Dax !!!
Re: Tropical Storm Geraghty blasts through Dax
Posted by: waltham (IP Logged)
Date: 11/12/2008 10:46
John - you mean the one that supplies 1.4m litres each day and comes from a source 2000m below......seem to recall a certain ex LI flag owner complaining it was far too hot and had to return to the bar to cool down.
Re: Tropical Storm Geraghty blasts through Dax
Posted by: MadMonk (IP Logged)
Date: 11/12/2008 12:35
What goes on tour...
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