Still Top of the Pile!
By Jim
January 11 2009
London Irish might not have sunk the Sharks - but are still Top of the Pile!
Sale Sharks 14 – London Irish 8
A 500-mile round trip to support our Club on a freezing January night, was it worth it? Yes.
January 11 2009
London Irish might not have sunk the Sharks - but are still Top of the Pile!
Sale Sharks 14 – London Irish 8
A 500-mile round trip to support our Club on a freezing January night, was it worth it? Yes.
The Preliminaries
Before entering Edgeley Park, a strong contingent of London Irish supporters attended the pre-match drinks reception in a heaving Royal Oak where, I am pleased to say, all supporters followed the plea for Responsible Drinking. I can assure you dear reader, not a drop was spilt.
The bar staff were run off their feet but coped magnificently. And the prices were fair.
The Sale supporters were (as usual) in welcoming and jovial form, but not confident about their prospects.
Amongst the London Irish contingent were Russ O’C (who went into graphic detail about root canal dentistry), Graham’s Dad, Big-Al, June and Andy, RonnieC and A, and the R43 family - to name but a few.
As we made our way to the ground the intensifying cold was palpable, so much so that I thought there was a strong possibility the match might not start. It was getting colder by the minute.
All credit to the Edgeley Park ground staff - with assistance from Salford Rugby League Club - who must have put considerable expertise and effort to ensure the game went ahead.
The Match
My vantage point was not by any means the best (try line, front row, DLA/Piper Stand). I was therefore reduced to the caricature of a contortionist waving my flag, watching through binoculars and taping my thoughts as the game progressed. Even the countdown clock stopped. In advance, therefore, I apologise for plays I may have missed or did not have had a clear view of.
Having regard for the rapidly worsening conditions this was never going to be a contest of free-flowing running rugby as at the two previous meetings and, sure enough, it was an attritional contest throughout, with both teams adapting to the prevailing conditions.
One of the first things I noticed immediately following the start was that Peter Hewat appeared to be limping. He had just taken a 90 second penalty (very close, but missed).
On 8 minutes Charlie Hodgson put Sale ahead with a penalty following an Irish misdemeanour in the scrum.
Sale 3 – Irish 0
An excellent move - engineered by Seilala Mapusua, consolidated by the injured Peter Hewat and finished off by a Topsy Ojo try - put us 5–3 up after 30 minutes. Shane’s attempt at the conversion struck the upright and came back into play – unlucky.
Sale 3 – Irish 5
Both sides relied - rightly, taking account of the conditions - on a long range kicking game in the expectation there may be a handling error or favourable bounce to get into point-scoring positions. Hodgson and McAlister, working in tandem, were effective in this area throughout - it may not have suited the purists, but it certainly kept the 9500 spectators in fine voice throughout the game.
Sharks retook the lead on 36 minutes with a Hodgson drop goal.
Sale 6 – Irish 5
Following a Sale infringement on half time, Irish were awarded a penalty from a very kickable position. Shane Geraghty obliged.
Sale 6 – Irish 8 - Half time
On 49 minutes the Sharks were awarded a penalty in front of the posts for an Irish infringement. Hodgson converted.
Sale 9 – Irish 8
Sharks’ effective rush defence tactic contained Irish in our own half for considerable periods throughout the match. That said, the Irish defence, all fifteen of them, were to suffer only a single breach which followed the final score - Mark Cueto’s try in the 57th minute - when both he and David Paice were dispatched to the sin bin to sort out their differences.
Sale 14 – Irish 8
Around about this same time Bob Casey renewed his guerrilla friendship with Schofield in the form of open warfare.
During the final 12-15 minutes of the game our front-row injuries meant that non-contested scrums were necessary which was unfortunate as, up to that point, from what I could see, we were causing problems for the Sale pack.
There was one serious and potentially match winning attack, initiated by the evergreen Mike Catt in the final moments of the match and which, if it had been successfully executed, would have produced a try. Perhaps recognising that our kicking form was not what it might be, the move was played towards the posts, rather than go for a pushover try in the corner. But a knock-on put paid to that.
The final whistle was sounded and the Sharks’ players reacted as though they had won the Premiership. A sure-fire compliment to our Club, Team and Management
Irish failing to score in the second half gave the Sharks victory. Despite that, the team secured a well-earned bonus point and, on Friday night, remained top of the Premiership.
As Bob Casey led Maps and one or two other players to acknowledge the London Irish supporters’ presence the disappointment showed in their faces: it was a contest they expected to win.
I took one last look at the pitch and saw freezing conditions which must have been taking their toll during the final 15-20 minutes; from the 22 line to the try line the ground was covered in frost.
The Personalities:
Sebastian Chabal - It seemed M Chabal was on a mission of revenge, with Topsy and Shane being singled out for his genteel attention. Had he made contact with the forearm smash aimed at Shane’s head, the England contender would not have played for several weeks.
Steffon Armitage – What more can be said about him?! This man has developed into a powerhouse of consistency and reliability. A must for the England Squad.
Paul Hodgson – Tireless, fearless, innovative and constantly effective
Seilala Mapusua – Ever reliable and totally committed. Generated fear and panic each time he gained possession;
Tom Homer – Not in the least bit fazed by the illustrious personalities he faced. Gaining more and more confidence coupled with effectiveness with each outing;
Mark Cueto – Back in England form.
Fernández Lobbe – Sale will miss him should he leave them – provided his team with leadership of the highest calibre - but he now knows who Steffon Armitage is!
No 10
Not wishing to detract from or imply criticism of the efforts of our team tonight, having a recognised No. 10 could have secured the winning points for London Irish. The opportunities were there for the taking.
The Future
We are not scheduled to meet Sale again until next season. Want to bet on it? - it is possible we may be pitched against each other in the play-offs!
Just imagine – play-offs without Wasps and Tigers involved!!!!!
Sale Sharks: Mark Cueto, Chris Bell, Andy Tuilagi, Luke McAlister, David Doherty, Charlie Hodgson, Dwayne Peel; Lionel Faure, Marc Jones, Eifion Roberts, Sebastian Chabal, Dean Schofield, Chris Jones, N Briggs, Juan Martine Fernández Lobbe. Replacements: Luke Abraham for Jones (42); Matthew Tait for Tuilagi (49); Brent Cockbain for Scofield (56); Andrew Sheridan for Faure (59); Richard Wigglesworth for Peel (78)
My Sale Sharks MotM - Juan Martine Fernández Lobbe
London Irish: Peter Hewat, Topsy Ojo, Elvis Seveali’I, Seilala Mapusua, Tom Homer, Shane Geraghty, Paul Hodgson; Clarke Dermody, Danni Coetzee, Tonga Lea’aetoa, James Hudson, Bob Casey, Declan Danaher, Steffon Armitage, Chris Hala’ufia. Replacements: David Paice for Coetzee (41); Alex Corbisiero for Lea’aetoa (53); Kieron Roche for Hudson (53); Gary Johnson for Corbisiero (59); Richard Thorpe for Danaher (70); Mike Catt for Seveali’I (72)
My London Irish MotM – Steffon Armitage / Seilala Mapusua
Yellow Cards: Mark Cueto (58 minutes) – David Paice (58 minutes)
Officials: Referee - Mr Andrew Small; Touch Judges - Mr Rob Debney, Mr Don Helme; Assessor - Mr Brian Campsall; TMO match official - Mr Andrew Turner
Before entering Edgeley Park, a strong contingent of London Irish supporters attended the pre-match drinks reception in a heaving Royal Oak where, I am pleased to say, all supporters followed the plea for Responsible Drinking. I can assure you dear reader, not a drop was spilt.
The bar staff were run off their feet but coped magnificently. And the prices were fair.
The Sale supporters were (as usual) in welcoming and jovial form, but not confident about their prospects.
Amongst the London Irish contingent were Russ O’C (who went into graphic detail about root canal dentistry), Graham’s Dad, Big-Al, June and Andy, RonnieC and A, and the R43 family - to name but a few.
As we made our way to the ground the intensifying cold was palpable, so much so that I thought there was a strong possibility the match might not start. It was getting colder by the minute.
All credit to the Edgeley Park ground staff - with assistance from Salford Rugby League Club - who must have put considerable expertise and effort to ensure the game went ahead.
The Match
My vantage point was not by any means the best (try line, front row, DLA/Piper Stand). I was therefore reduced to the caricature of a contortionist waving my flag, watching through binoculars and taping my thoughts as the game progressed. Even the countdown clock stopped. In advance, therefore, I apologise for plays I may have missed or did not have had a clear view of.
Having regard for the rapidly worsening conditions this was never going to be a contest of free-flowing running rugby as at the two previous meetings and, sure enough, it was an attritional contest throughout, with both teams adapting to the prevailing conditions.
One of the first things I noticed immediately following the start was that Peter Hewat appeared to be limping. He had just taken a 90 second penalty (very close, but missed).
On 8 minutes Charlie Hodgson put Sale ahead with a penalty following an Irish misdemeanour in the scrum.
Sale 3 – Irish 0
An excellent move - engineered by Seilala Mapusua, consolidated by the injured Peter Hewat and finished off by a Topsy Ojo try - put us 5–3 up after 30 minutes. Shane’s attempt at the conversion struck the upright and came back into play – unlucky.
Sale 3 – Irish 5
Both sides relied - rightly, taking account of the conditions - on a long range kicking game in the expectation there may be a handling error or favourable bounce to get into point-scoring positions. Hodgson and McAlister, working in tandem, were effective in this area throughout - it may not have suited the purists, but it certainly kept the 9500 spectators in fine voice throughout the game.
Sharks retook the lead on 36 minutes with a Hodgson drop goal.
Sale 6 – Irish 5
Following a Sale infringement on half time, Irish were awarded a penalty from a very kickable position. Shane Geraghty obliged.
Sale 6 – Irish 8 - Half time
On 49 minutes the Sharks were awarded a penalty in front of the posts for an Irish infringement. Hodgson converted.
Sale 9 – Irish 8
Sharks’ effective rush defence tactic contained Irish in our own half for considerable periods throughout the match. That said, the Irish defence, all fifteen of them, were to suffer only a single breach which followed the final score - Mark Cueto’s try in the 57th minute - when both he and David Paice were dispatched to the sin bin to sort out their differences.
Sale 14 – Irish 8
Around about this same time Bob Casey renewed his guerrilla friendship with Schofield in the form of open warfare.
During the final 12-15 minutes of the game our front-row injuries meant that non-contested scrums were necessary which was unfortunate as, up to that point, from what I could see, we were causing problems for the Sale pack.
There was one serious and potentially match winning attack, initiated by the evergreen Mike Catt in the final moments of the match and which, if it had been successfully executed, would have produced a try. Perhaps recognising that our kicking form was not what it might be, the move was played towards the posts, rather than go for a pushover try in the corner. But a knock-on put paid to that.
The final whistle was sounded and the Sharks’ players reacted as though they had won the Premiership. A sure-fire compliment to our Club, Team and Management
Irish failing to score in the second half gave the Sharks victory. Despite that, the team secured a well-earned bonus point and, on Friday night, remained top of the Premiership.
As Bob Casey led Maps and one or two other players to acknowledge the London Irish supporters’ presence the disappointment showed in their faces: it was a contest they expected to win.
I took one last look at the pitch and saw freezing conditions which must have been taking their toll during the final 15-20 minutes; from the 22 line to the try line the ground was covered in frost.
The Personalities:
Sebastian Chabal - It seemed M Chabal was on a mission of revenge, with Topsy and Shane being singled out for his genteel attention. Had he made contact with the forearm smash aimed at Shane’s head, the England contender would not have played for several weeks.
Steffon Armitage – What more can be said about him?! This man has developed into a powerhouse of consistency and reliability. A must for the England Squad.
Paul Hodgson – Tireless, fearless, innovative and constantly effective
Seilala Mapusua – Ever reliable and totally committed. Generated fear and panic each time he gained possession;
Tom Homer – Not in the least bit fazed by the illustrious personalities he faced. Gaining more and more confidence coupled with effectiveness with each outing;
Mark Cueto – Back in England form.
Fernández Lobbe – Sale will miss him should he leave them – provided his team with leadership of the highest calibre - but he now knows who Steffon Armitage is!
No 10
Not wishing to detract from or imply criticism of the efforts of our team tonight, having a recognised No. 10 could have secured the winning points for London Irish. The opportunities were there for the taking.
The Future
We are not scheduled to meet Sale again until next season. Want to bet on it? - it is possible we may be pitched against each other in the play-offs!
Just imagine – play-offs without Wasps and Tigers involved!!!!!
Sale Sharks: Mark Cueto, Chris Bell, Andy Tuilagi, Luke McAlister, David Doherty, Charlie Hodgson, Dwayne Peel; Lionel Faure, Marc Jones, Eifion Roberts, Sebastian Chabal, Dean Schofield, Chris Jones, N Briggs, Juan Martine Fernández Lobbe. Replacements: Luke Abraham for Jones (42); Matthew Tait for Tuilagi (49); Brent Cockbain for Scofield (56); Andrew Sheridan for Faure (59); Richard Wigglesworth for Peel (78)
My Sale Sharks MotM - Juan Martine Fernández Lobbe
London Irish: Peter Hewat, Topsy Ojo, Elvis Seveali’I, Seilala Mapusua, Tom Homer, Shane Geraghty, Paul Hodgson; Clarke Dermody, Danni Coetzee, Tonga Lea’aetoa, James Hudson, Bob Casey, Declan Danaher, Steffon Armitage, Chris Hala’ufia. Replacements: David Paice for Coetzee (41); Alex Corbisiero for Lea’aetoa (53); Kieron Roche for Hudson (53); Gary Johnson for Corbisiero (59); Richard Thorpe for Danaher (70); Mike Catt for Seveali’I (72)
My London Irish MotM – Steffon Armitage / Seilala Mapusua
Yellow Cards: Mark Cueto (58 minutes) – David Paice (58 minutes)
Officials: Referee - Mr Andrew Small; Touch Judges - Mr Rob Debney, Mr Don Helme; Assessor - Mr Brian Campsall; TMO match official - Mr Andrew Turner
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StumbleuponStill Top of the Pile!
Posted by: The Craic www.londonirish.org (IP Logged)
Date: 11/01/2009 20:55
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Re: Still Top of the Pile!
Posted by: bisach (IP Logged)
Date: 11/01/2009 21:19
Thanks for that Jim.
And for those who might like to gloat to others (or bask in the reflected glory) ...
And for those who might like to gloat to others (or bask in the reflected glory) ...
Re: Still Top of the Pile!
Posted by: antoinog (IP Logged)
Date: 11/01/2009 22:19
Good write up Jim. I was in the MacAfee stand near the towards the goalline at the end where both the tries were scored, so the last 15 min or so where a bit unknown to me, take place at the far end (inside the Sale 22).
Well played all the lads, well done to the management and all those LI supporters who made the trip up there to support their team.
Come on you Irish
Well played all the lads, well done to the management and all those LI supporters who made the trip up there to support their team.
Come on you Irish
Re: Still Top of the Pile!
Posted by: Ken E (IP Logged)
Date: 11/01/2009 22:25
Thanks for the report - from one of the many who had wanted to be there but found that th 19:45 kick off simply didn't work with the trains with the last one leaving for London at 21:15!
But there has been a lot of comment about our Bob and even Graham was saying that there were "altercations" as soon as the third minute. Now we all know that our Bob is a paraagon of virtue - so does anyone there have a take on this slight on our man?
And there has also been comments about the standard of the refereeing. I recognise we need referrees and they do a very difficult job but "off the record" are there any comments form those who were fortunate enouygh to be there?
But there has been a lot of comment about our Bob and even Graham was saying that there were "altercations" as soon as the third minute. Now we all know that our Bob is a paraagon of virtue - so does anyone there have a take on this slight on our man?
And there has also been comments about the standard of the refereeing. I recognise we need referrees and they do a very difficult job but "off the record" are there any comments form those who were fortunate enouygh to be there?
Re: Still Top of the Pile!
Posted by: russell o'callaghan (IP Logged)
Date: 11/01/2009 22:31
Jim, were you and Kate caught up in that melee after the game where all those Argentine lads were having a free-for-all over Llobbe's shirt? I thought someone was going to get hurt if they were at the bottom of that lot? There were dozens of 'em.
Russell
Russell
Re: Still Top of the Pile!
Posted by: Props are not stupid (IP Logged)
Date: 12/01/2009 01:09
There were 106 Argentinians on rugby tour, all seemed very happy. Lobbe no only gave them his shirt, but also his pants!
My moment of the evening (apart from my car breaking down in the M40 and having to continue the rest of the trip with a courtesy car), was when the speaker announced: "This yellow cards are sponsored by Stockport motorcycles". A classic!
Great match report and sorry to have missed most of the London Irish supporters, due to the incident with the car I was about 10 minutes late for the game, and after the match I was drinking at the Armoury with my hosts for the evening.
My moment of the evening (apart from my car breaking down in the M40 and having to continue the rest of the trip with a courtesy car), was when the speaker announced: "This yellow cards are sponsored by Stockport motorcycles". A classic!
Great match report and sorry to have missed most of the London Irish supporters, due to the incident with the car I was about 10 minutes late for the game, and after the match I was drinking at the Armoury with my hosts for the evening.
Re: Still Top of the Pile!
Posted by: antoinog (IP Logged)
Date: 12/01/2009 01:21
I got to the Royal Oak and had enough time for a quick drink before kick off but had to leave the game at the end pretty quickly as the car we were getting a lift in was in the car park and they had terrible bottle necks there.
Passed Martin Johnson leaving the stand - never appreciated how tall the guy is!!
Didn't see what riled Bob but it was quite noticeable how animated he was throughout the game, very un-Bob-like. Similarly from where I was sitting couldn't see what caused the melee between Paicey and Cueto - assumed it was something to do with them sliding into the advertising hoardings.
Quite amusing with Chabal. My uncle lives that way and has been to a few of their games and has noticed that Chabal will make one or two barnstorming runs throughout the game, but other than that, he will trot around behind the play, last to the lineouts and scrums etc. Goes down quite easily - indeed at one stage he really did seem concerned that his hair had been ruffled a bit too much. And then when he did legitimately get nailed in the second half, it seemed a case of Peter having cried wolf and his teammates didn't seem too fussed. From what I understand, his teammates take him with a pinch of salt.
Seems as if the Sale players have
Passed Martin Johnson leaving the stand - never appreciated how tall the guy is!!
Didn't see what riled Bob but it was quite noticeable how animated he was throughout the game, very un-Bob-like. Similarly from where I was sitting couldn't see what caused the melee between Paicey and Cueto - assumed it was something to do with them sliding into the advertising hoardings.
Quite amusing with Chabal. My uncle lives that way and has been to a few of their games and has noticed that Chabal will make one or two barnstorming runs throughout the game, but other than that, he will trot around behind the play, last to the lineouts and scrums etc. Goes down quite easily - indeed at one stage he really did seem concerned that his hair had been ruffled a bit too much. And then when he did legitimately get nailed in the second half, it seemed a case of Peter having cried wolf and his teammates didn't seem too fussed. From what I understand, his teammates take him with a pinch of salt.
Seems as if the Sale players have
Re: Still Top of the Pile!
Posted by: ascotintheantipodes (IP Logged)
Date: 12/01/2009 08:08
Thanks Jim,
we missed most of the first half on the webcast as real player decided to be a real @#!!#! and unplugged itself - it was half time before I picked up the game again.
But at minus something deg C where you were, I was happy enough at the 20+ deg C where we were.
You people have had some horrible weather recently!
we missed most of the first half on the webcast as real player decided to be a real @#!!#! and unplugged itself - it was half time before I picked up the game again.
But at minus something deg C where you were, I was happy enough at the 20+ deg C where we were.
You people have had some horrible weather recently!
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