Irish March to the Semis ...
By Classy Bird
April 26 2009
... to the sound of Silent Drums
6.30am – text from Tallula, “no more sleeps” – that pretty much sums up the excitement that has been building up amongst our tour party for the past week. The day of the last premiership game of the season and the decider for a place in the semi finals had arrived!
April 26 2009
... to the sound of Silent Drums
6.30am – text from Tallula, “no more sleeps” – that pretty much sums up the excitement that has been building up amongst our tour party for the past week. The day of the last premiership game of the season and the decider for a place in the semi finals had arrived!
Quick up, get ready, bacon under the grill and the car starts being loaded. Beer: check. Tent: check, Beer: check. Sleeping bags: check. Beer: check. BBQ fodder: check. Beer: check. Think we're good to go. So, by 8am we're on our way to Worcester and even the pouring rain can't dampen our spirits. Suddenly I feel like I'm in an episode of Top Gear - three cars, leaving from three parts of the country, as far south as Sussex and as far north as Wigan, all with one destination - Worcester and the Mill House Campsite.
11.30 am and all tents erected, sun shining and beers flowing – now for the toughest competition of the day - "who has the finest tent?" Ricardo with his alleged two man tent (definitely wouldn't cater for two Classy-sized people - I've seen bigger body bags!), AndyTheHat with his solar powered garden lanterns and fleece airbed cover (ponce!) or Classy with luxuries such as Nisa value toilet rolls (they don't call me Classy for nothing!). So hotdogs at the ready and discussions turn to the all important forthcoming game - Worcester Warriors versus London Irish. We all felt one point would probably be enough to get us to the semis, but we were all hungry for more and as expectations have become high over the season didn't want to come away with anything less than maximum points. After the Warriors midweek win though, we knew that wouldn't be an easy ask from the boys and were nervous about what the next few hours held. So 1.30pm and we're in a taxi (thanks taxi driver Richard for putting up with us and posing for the nice photos ... we don't get out much!) and on our way to Sixways. Semi finals? Home tie? Away to Quins? Away to Leicester? All our questions would soon be answered.
The Tour Party
11.30 am and all tents erected, sun shining and beers flowing – now for the toughest competition of the day - "who has the finest tent?" Ricardo with his alleged two man tent (definitely wouldn't cater for two Classy-sized people - I've seen bigger body bags!), AndyTheHat with his solar powered garden lanterns and fleece airbed cover (ponce!) or Classy with luxuries such as Nisa value toilet rolls (they don't call me Classy for nothing!). So hotdogs at the ready and discussions turn to the all important forthcoming game - Worcester Warriors versus London Irish. We all felt one point would probably be enough to get us to the semis, but we were all hungry for more and as expectations have become high over the season didn't want to come away with anything less than maximum points. After the Warriors midweek win though, we knew that wouldn't be an easy ask from the boys and were nervous about what the next few hours held. So 1.30pm and we're in a taxi (thanks taxi driver Richard for putting up with us and posing for the nice photos ... we don't get out much!) and on our way to Sixways. Semi finals? Home tie? Away to Quins? Away to Leicester? All our questions would soon be answered.
The Tour Party
On arrival there was a certain buzz about the place. Irish were there in numbers but all things musical had been confiscated! With no backing percussion our supporters needed to ensure they would make themselves heard during the game so throat lubrication was very much in order.
Is she hiding Bongos under that shirt?
Having said hello to some new and old faces and got held up in the Scrum bar getting some beers I made it to my seat a few minutes late, but Tallula updated me on what I had missed. Firstly, just finding my seat was a bit of a mission - OK so I'd had a fair few beers by this point but even I knew that 13 doesn't come after 153 on the seating scale! Secondly, being in the far corner and with my terrible eyesight and no TV screen, I got my excuses in as a contingency against any inaccuracies of the match report (please note some timings may be estimates!). I was, however, very chuffed that I remembered notepad and pen for the report this time, so no relying on Mrs Cheffy's fag packets!
Proof
So, to the game and a welcome back to our illustrious Captain Mr Big Bob Casey! Tallula advised Irish had a good clean catch from the kick off and had kicked up the field for territory. After a few peanalties to both Worcester and Irish and some sloppy play from both sides, London Irish received a penalty in the Scrum for not binding. I arrived just in time to see Delon take the kick, which, not helped by strong winds, didn't make it through the uprights. Just a few minutes later and 12 minutes in to the game Irish won another penalty as Worcester were holding on. Over 40m out Delon takes the long range kick and misses again. 17 minutes in and Delon neatly catches a high ball from a Worcester kick. Following on from this is some excellent attacking work by Irish and strong defending from Worcester. Sailosi is held short by just 5m but Irish kept the ball alive and kept recycling it up and down the line which led to a break by Steffon and a three man overlap leaving Sailosi to score the try just to the left of the posts. The try was converted by Delon making it Worcester 0 - Irish 7.
From the restart London Irish were caught offside. Worcester missed touch which was collected by Irish and kicked into touch by Hewat. Worcester won the line out and then the Hooker, Chris Forty crashed over the line. The try was converted by Carlisle making the score 7-7.
The next few minutes endured some sloppy play from both sides with a number of scrums and line outs taken, with line outs looking far from impressive by London Irish. Half time was looming and most of the play was in Worcester half (the opposite end of the field to where I was sitting) and everybody was jumping up to beat the toilet and beer rush, I missed what led to a penalty to Worcester (although I believe it was a deliberate knock on by Hewat), which was successfully taken by Carlisle putting Worcester in front for the first time. 32 minutes down Worcester lead 10-7.
Irish responded immediately by attacking the line and were awarded a penalty, which was taken quickly and resulted in another penalty, for Worcester not being back 10. In front of the posts Delon kicked to bring the score to 10-10.
From the restart London Irish continued with some further attacking play until a mis-kick from Hewat led to a breakthrough from Worcester. Luckily Tagi made a superb tackle but Worcester continued attacking the line eventually going over. Sixways erupted in cheers but the try was not given, and in fact a penalty awarded to London Irish. Hewat kicked to touch, the line out taken neatly, and Tagi made a break for the line, unfortunately with a foot in touch on the way. Half time Worcester 10 - Irish 10 but Worcester looking like they had a slight edge over Irish.
After a refuel at the Scrum bar the second half was soon underway, and in true fashion I missed the first five minutes and a try off the back of the scrum by Hala'ufia . Delon converted the try making the score at some point in between the 40th and 45th minute 10-17.
Just a few minutes later Worcester were awarded a penalty which they missed. Two minutes later they were awarded another penalty when Irish didn't roll away from the tackle but this was also missed by Carlisle. Irish further added to the Worcester disappointment when a breakthrough from Mapusua and a long pass to Tagi resulted in a ruck with Dodge peeling off from the blindside to go over in the 52nd minute making the score 10-22. Unsuccessful conversion.
Worcester looked promising from the restart with some strong kicking and a penalty due to Irish coming in from the side. After a number of handling errors from both sides Irish then took a very messy line out in the 60th minute which was cleaned up by Dodge and a neat long pass resulted in Danaher scoring the fourth try and securing the try bonus for London Irish. As my excitement peaked at the thought of a second place finish, I then found out Quins had already secured their four try bonus point. Hewat missed the conversion making the score 10-27.
At this point Bob was replaced by Hudson. Soon after a scrum infringement by Worcester deep in the Worcester half led to a free kick for London Irish who opted for a scrum. Another free kick to London Irish was awarded followed by some good attacking work using the line. The ball was well recycled although not much space was being made and a grubber kick by Richards was intercepted by Worcester. Worcester were then awarded a penalty and kicked to touch, although a bad throw in from Worcester and quick action by Dodge resulted in Dodge picking up the ball. There was some strong attacking by Irish and some equally strong defensive work from Worcester but when Irish shipped the ball down the line to Thompstone on the wing, he outran the defence and scored an unconvered try in the 72nd minute making the score 10-32.
Soon after Topsy came on for Mapusua and there were a number of penalties including a penalty to Irish for Worcester diving over. The penalty was taken quickly and Worcester weren't back ten and a scuffle broke out between the teams. Suddenly a call of nature (or empty pint glass?!?) meant I had to make a quick exit and the report was finished by my co-reporters Buncey and Ricardo ... There was a penalty to Worcester for Irish holding on and some good running from Worcester led to a late try courtesy of the replacement Crook. The try was unconverted making the final score Worcester 15, Irish 32.
I returned to the pitchside in time to see the players come round and have a brief chat with Alex Corbisiero. As the Scrum bar was closed for a private party we made our way to the Public bar for some drinks. Overall we felt the game hadn’t at times been pretty, but we had got the job done and Irish were in the semi finals with an away tie at the Stoop. Irish, as usual of late, played a much stronger game in the second half and although the game was a real team effort, I felt Dodge stood out as my Man of the Match with special mentions to Steffon, Hala'ufia and Tagi.
So for us, it was back to the campsite for a BBQ and some more beers. With the London Irish flag flying from camp I think the "neighbours" were concerned about the evening ahead. Spirits were high, beer was flowing and the sausages were sizzling (well done Tallula!). A week of anticipation and now it was almost all over, bar the evenings festivities. But, by 9.30pm, aside from the burning BBQ embers, the empty beer cans, 2 pint vats, and the slight mumble of various snoring patterns ... no one would have even known we were there ... who says we don't know how to party!!
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Posted by: The Craic www.londonirish.org (IP Logged)
Date: 26/04/2009 22:09
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Re: Irish March to the Semis
Posted by: JamesC (IP Logged)
Date: 26/04/2009 23:19
Thanks - good stuff.
The PH test is one 't' it appears by the way
The PH test is one 't' it appears by the way
Re: Irish March to the Semis
Posted by: bisach (IP Logged)
Date: 27/04/2009 00:36
My fault for not doing my editorial job properly. I think they're all corrected now.
Re: Irish March to the Semis
Posted by: AndytheHat (IP Logged)
Date: 27/04/2009 07:31
I'm very impressed oh Classy one, a good reflection of the day.
What I did notice was our taxi driver, Richard, said he was happy to pick us up after the match but then sent another driver........do you think it had anything to do with you telling stories of your last visit to Wuss and how many traffic cones and signs you collected by any chance????? Remember if the light is on the intercom is working!
Tallula xx
(on Andy's login as too lazy to change it to her own)
What I did notice was our taxi driver, Richard, said he was happy to pick us up after the match but then sent another driver........do you think it had anything to do with you telling stories of your last visit to Wuss and how many traffic cones and signs you collected by any chance????? Remember if the light is on the intercom is working!
Tallula xx
(on Andy's login as too lazy to change it to her own)
Re: Irish March to the Semis
Posted by: cheffy (IP Logged)
Date: 27/04/2009 08:19
Very lucid Classy......
Did you employ a ghost writer??
Did you employ a ghost writer??
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