Irish’s first silverware of 2009/10
By Jon_r43
August 18 2009
We arrived early and decided that one part of the review would be a one phrase, comment/ reaction by one of our party to each game, with detailed reports following that.
August 18 2009
We arrived early and decided that one part of the review would be a one phrase, comment/ reaction by one of our party to each game, with detailed reports following that.
However, because trying to watch sevens and write notes seemed impossible. (It got to half time in our first game before the team was written down!!) I decided to rely on Sky for the detail of our games. A fatal mistake as the Sky plus box decided not to record the match so thanks to Bill for supplying the DVD to enable me to finish this report!
With apologies to supporters of other teams, here are our group’s green tinted views of the day!
Game 1 Army 24 – 0 Bath:
Dan “Army look good don’t want to play them” (see game 13)
Game 2 Irish 22 – 12 Gloucester:
Jon “Well done Irish”
Game 3 Quins 17 – 22 Marauders:
Sam “Yeah!!” (Cant think why)
Game 4 Sarries 28 – 24 Worcester:
BQFM “Well done Sarries, That’s my team!”
Game 5 Samurai 17 – 12 Saints:
LKR “Samurai puts saints to the sword”
Game 6 Wasps 19 – 28 Leeds:
Hamma “Started badly last year, continuing the trend.”
Game 7 Leicester 7 – 24 Newcastle:
Dan “Leicester defeated at Twickenham, Whoooo!” (Dan still remembers 16 May 09!)
Game 8 Sale 21 – 29 Help for Heroes:
Jon “This is going to be won by an invitation side or Irish! (Ok I’ll admit it I added the “or Irish” at the time just to stop me looking disloyal!)
Game 9 Bath 33 – 12 Gloucester:
LKR “Glaws head for the showers after an early bath” (Maybe my wife could be a headline writer for a tabloid!)
Game 10 Quins 38 – 0 Worcester:
Sam “Worcester were saucy but didn’t KETCHUP! (Sorry think my son wants to do stand-up!)
Game 11 Saints 26 – 20 Wasps:
LKR “When the saints go marching in” (LKR ends up finding herself singing along to this whenever we play Saints!)
Game 12 Leicester 19 – 24 Sale (AET):
Hamma “We are on next.” (long gap back to game 2!)
Game 13 Irish 17 – 12 Army:
Dan “Army shot down by mighty Exiles.”
Game 14 Marauders 19 – 26 Sarries:
Jon “Sets up a difficult semi-final for BQFM now” (Sarries v Irish)
Game 15 Samurai 38 – 17 Leeds:
Sam “Samurai look awfully good.”
Game 16 Newcastle 34 – 5 Help for Heroes:
BQFM “Newcastle look good too.”
Game 17 Bath 0 – 27 Quins:
LKR “Bath needed a smaller faster side to speed up”
Game 18 Sale 26 – 12 Saints:
LKR “Mexican wave started here.”
Game 19 Irish 17 – 12 Sarries:
Dan “Best London team in the competition.”
Game 20 Newcastle 17 – 28 Samurai:
Jon “Best premiership team in the competition, but can we play someone else in the final please!”
Game 21 Plate final Quins 12 v 24 Sale:
Sam “Yeah” (again) (He has Quins supporters at his school you see!)
Game 22 Final Irish 26 v 19 Samurai:
Not surprisingly I forgot to record a comment after the game. However all of us there would I’m sure agree that it should read “Well done to all involved for an amazing day!”
Detailed reports on Irish games.
Game 1: Irish 22 v 12 Gloucester
Having watched the Army beat Bath 24 – 0 in the first game we thought that a loss here might not be a disaster as our side looked better than Bath and a loss against Glaws would at least mean 3 games. Irish started with: Nick, Delon, Steffon, Dodge, Peter R, Sailosi, and Marcus Watson. This was to be the starting team for most games in the tournament. It is a class side especially compared to some of the others and we really should have more faith in our team!
Irish took possession for the first minute and a half but eventually Gloucester got possession through a penalty because Tagi was holding on. Almost immediately a Gloucester player got isolated allowing Marcus Watson to steal the ball and go 70 metres stopping just short of the line, Steffon carried the defender over leading to the first scrum. Nick, Peter and Steffon formed an odd looking scrum. The ball was released wide to Marcus who crossed for the score. (5–0). Possession was quickly recovered after the restart and Tagi was allowed to go round the outside of the defender for a second score, Delon missed a second kick. No further score gave a 10–0 lead at half time.
Irish started the second half with Nick recovering possession very quickly (This ability of Nick and Steffon to recover the ball from restarts becomes a key feature of the success of the team.) Suddenly Delon is kicking through and touching down in the corner. (15-0) Steffon has a go at the kick this time but misses badly and is gently barracked by the growing Irish support in the east stand (he smiles and waves!!) After 9 minutes Irish have a scrum on half way but possession is lost and Pointon rounds Tagi to score under the posts (15-7). Irish are still looking in control but we think we need the next score. Fortunately this comes as Irish recover possession and Tagi chips through for Dodge to score under the posts and convert (22–7) Irish make several changes at this point with Jonathan Joseph, Ben Stevenson and David Paice coming on. Gloucester got a second score from Charlie Simpson-Daniel with the final play of the game (22-12).
Oh well we thought, one good win and then the Army - there is a danger that this could be the same as last year when most of the Irish support missed our best game.
Cup Quarter Final: Irish 17 v 12 British Army
Initial Irish possession lead to a 5 metre scrum with our put in, Dodge is caught in possession by the Army scrum half. Irish continue to pressure the army line. Marcus defending our right wing and steps inside to try to take an intercept pass which would have been the first score. “Forward” we cry but not given and the Army player goes the distance to score and the conversion is made 0-7 (This is the only time in the competition Irish will be behind.)
After 4 minutes Peter makes a break down the right wing following strong play by Tagi, This leads to a scrum for Irish where Dodge is caught again, a cry of “get him off” is heard in the stand, a bit harsh we thought in our group. Sure enough position is recovered quickly and Tagi and Marcus combine on the left wing the ball is recycled, Marcus fixes the last defender and Steffon crosses down the left wing and we score in the corner (5-7 at Half time) From the restart Irish get possession and play the ball from hand to hand making ground, eventually Tagi reaches the try line and throws a pass to Dodge (Good job we didn’t take him off) who scores under the posts (12–7) Marcus Watson goes off and is replaced by Sam Edgerley. Referee Small penalises the Army scrum half at a scrum and from the penalty Irish play the ball Sam makes a break and passes to Steffon who avoids one tackle and commits the last defender. Nick runs from the 22 to cross the line in the corner (17–7) Guy Armitage comes on for Tagi so now 3 Armitages in a side at once for the first time. Guy makes his first big tackle but the ball is slipped away and the Army score again but the conversion is missed (17-12). On the restart Nick takes possession again and the ball is passed from Guy to Delon to Steffon. Sam is on the wing and is tackled to touch. The line out is taken as time runs out, Peter takes the ball and Sam goes for the corner but is tackled to touch and the game ends (17-12)
Cup Semi Final: Irish v Saracens
Sam Edgerley replaces Tagi in the starting line up for this game. The game starts a bit scrappily but Sam passes to Steffon who goes in at the corner (5-0) From the restart Nick jumps and knocks the ball back, Dodge picks up the lose ball and runs through the defence to score untouched under the posts 3 minutes gone and a 12-0 lead, all looking good so far. From the next restart Steffon recovers the ball on the ground and we keep position again. Marcus makes a break but gets a bit isolated and Sarries have their first sustained attack, a loose pass gives us the ball and play is stopped while Mr Barnes sends off a streaker (Sam says as he used his card he should have to complete lots of paper work!) With about 40 second to go Irish knock the ball on in front of their own posts. Sarries Jamie Hearn crosses the line to score as the hooter goes, the kick is missed leaving Irish still a score up (12-5) HT
Tagi replaces Sam at half time. Steffon and Peter seal a scrum early in the second half giving Irish the ball. A few phases later and Irish are awarded a penalty, Peter uses Mr Barnes as a shield and scores in the corner, Steffon has another go at the kick which misses again (17-5). Sarries score under the posts quickly to make it 17-12 with 3 minutes to go. A break by Tagi takes us down the field but another knock on loses possession. Guy comes on for Nick and joins the scrum. Richards tackles a Sarries player into touch but with no Nick we lose possession at the lineout. Mr Barnes makes himself very popular with the Irish support giving a forward pass that may have been flat! Ben comes on for Dodge and Irish keep position until the hooter goes and Tagi runs over the touch line. We are in a final at Twickenham again (twice in 3 months!)
Cup Final: Irish v Samurai Internationals
There is lots of nervous people around us in the stand as the Samurai include a number of class players from around the world including; Amor, Injera, Kayange and Walsh so we wondered how similar the two finals would be.
The final would be 10 minutes each way. From the kick-off Irish gain possession and within the first minute Peter didn’t quite manage to ground the ball over the try line. Samurai kicked it clear two minutes in and Irish take position when Peter wraps up one of the Samurai in the tackle and the ball won’t come out. Delon chips over the top and the ball bounces nicely into his hand, he goes under the posts to score (7-0) similar to the GP final we lead! Samurai have a period of possession Tagi draws 4 players towards him near half way and releases the ball to Marcus who goes in at the corner. Delon tries the conversion which hits the post and comes out (similar to the final) (12-0) Samurai make a break but pass the ball forward and are called back, Half time is approaching can Irish score another try? Peter makes a break down the right wing and feeds Dodge who goes under the posts to score a try as the hooter goes (Unlike the final!!) (19-0) HT
It’s looking good for Irish but we are still a bit worried, one more score and surely it will be ours. Irish have possession from the restart taken by Nick (Shame he missed the final it might have been different!) Eventually Nick tries to chip Amor and the ball hits him in the face and bounces out. The restart is won and goes out to the centres Tagi breaks a tackle and crosses near to the post the conversion is made (26-0) with 6 minutes to go and we are beginning to believe that it will be our day. Guy is on again for Nick. With 4 minutes to go Tagi tackles Willy Bishop rather high and takes a two minute rest.
During the first part of the yellow card period the Samurai keep the ball and cross the line. Irish force them wide making the conversion difficult but Amor makes it easily (26-7) From the restart Guy takes position and Irish keep the ball. Ben comes on for Peter and 2 minutes or so to go and Irish kicks deep down field (like in the final) Bishop runs the ball back and again crosses the line in the corner, Amor misses the kick. Samurai still need 2 converted tries to draw at 26-12 with only a minute left. Sam comes on for Tagi. Samurai get the possession but are tackled into touch. The hooter goes but the ref gives several penalties to Samurai who eventually cross the line to score. The final score is 26-17.
Irish had won and all the supporters and players there clearly felt much better than in May. Well done to all involved both the “old” and “new” players and coaches and good luck for the rest of the season. Let’s hope we end up with another trophy or two next May
With apologies to supporters of other teams, here are our group’s green tinted views of the day!
Game 1 Army 24 – 0 Bath:
Dan “Army look good don’t want to play them” (see game 13)
Game 2 Irish 22 – 12 Gloucester:
Jon “Well done Irish”
Game 3 Quins 17 – 22 Marauders:
Sam “Yeah!!” (Cant think why)
Game 4 Sarries 28 – 24 Worcester:
BQFM “Well done Sarries, That’s my team!”
Game 5 Samurai 17 – 12 Saints:
LKR “Samurai puts saints to the sword”
Game 6 Wasps 19 – 28 Leeds:
Hamma “Started badly last year, continuing the trend.”
Game 7 Leicester 7 – 24 Newcastle:
Dan “Leicester defeated at Twickenham, Whoooo!” (Dan still remembers 16 May 09!)
Game 8 Sale 21 – 29 Help for Heroes:
Jon “This is going to be won by an invitation side or Irish! (Ok I’ll admit it I added the “or Irish” at the time just to stop me looking disloyal!)
Game 9 Bath 33 – 12 Gloucester:
LKR “Glaws head for the showers after an early bath” (Maybe my wife could be a headline writer for a tabloid!)
Game 10 Quins 38 – 0 Worcester:
Sam “Worcester were saucy but didn’t KETCHUP! (Sorry think my son wants to do stand-up!)
Game 11 Saints 26 – 20 Wasps:
LKR “When the saints go marching in” (LKR ends up finding herself singing along to this whenever we play Saints!)
Game 12 Leicester 19 – 24 Sale (AET):
Hamma “We are on next.” (long gap back to game 2!)
Game 13 Irish 17 – 12 Army:
Dan “Army shot down by mighty Exiles.”
Game 14 Marauders 19 – 26 Sarries:
Jon “Sets up a difficult semi-final for BQFM now” (Sarries v Irish)
Game 15 Samurai 38 – 17 Leeds:
Sam “Samurai look awfully good.”
Game 16 Newcastle 34 – 5 Help for Heroes:
BQFM “Newcastle look good too.”
Game 17 Bath 0 – 27 Quins:
LKR “Bath needed a smaller faster side to speed up”
Game 18 Sale 26 – 12 Saints:
LKR “Mexican wave started here.”
Game 19 Irish 17 – 12 Sarries:
Dan “Best London team in the competition.”
Game 20 Newcastle 17 – 28 Samurai:
Jon “Best premiership team in the competition, but can we play someone else in the final please!”
Game 21 Plate final Quins 12 v 24 Sale:
Sam “Yeah” (again) (He has Quins supporters at his school you see!)
Game 22 Final Irish 26 v 19 Samurai:
Not surprisingly I forgot to record a comment after the game. However all of us there would I’m sure agree that it should read “Well done to all involved for an amazing day!”
Detailed reports on Irish games.
Game 1: Irish 22 v 12 Gloucester
Having watched the Army beat Bath 24 – 0 in the first game we thought that a loss here might not be a disaster as our side looked better than Bath and a loss against Glaws would at least mean 3 games. Irish started with: Nick, Delon, Steffon, Dodge, Peter R, Sailosi, and Marcus Watson. This was to be the starting team for most games in the tournament. It is a class side especially compared to some of the others and we really should have more faith in our team!
Irish took possession for the first minute and a half but eventually Gloucester got possession through a penalty because Tagi was holding on. Almost immediately a Gloucester player got isolated allowing Marcus Watson to steal the ball and go 70 metres stopping just short of the line, Steffon carried the defender over leading to the first scrum. Nick, Peter and Steffon formed an odd looking scrum. The ball was released wide to Marcus who crossed for the score. (5–0). Possession was quickly recovered after the restart and Tagi was allowed to go round the outside of the defender for a second score, Delon missed a second kick. No further score gave a 10–0 lead at half time.
Irish started the second half with Nick recovering possession very quickly (This ability of Nick and Steffon to recover the ball from restarts becomes a key feature of the success of the team.) Suddenly Delon is kicking through and touching down in the corner. (15-0) Steffon has a go at the kick this time but misses badly and is gently barracked by the growing Irish support in the east stand (he smiles and waves!!) After 9 minutes Irish have a scrum on half way but possession is lost and Pointon rounds Tagi to score under the posts (15-7). Irish are still looking in control but we think we need the next score. Fortunately this comes as Irish recover possession and Tagi chips through for Dodge to score under the posts and convert (22–7) Irish make several changes at this point with Jonathan Joseph, Ben Stevenson and David Paice coming on. Gloucester got a second score from Charlie Simpson-Daniel with the final play of the game (22-12).
Oh well we thought, one good win and then the Army - there is a danger that this could be the same as last year when most of the Irish support missed our best game.
Cup Quarter Final: Irish 17 v 12 British Army
Initial Irish possession lead to a 5 metre scrum with our put in, Dodge is caught in possession by the Army scrum half. Irish continue to pressure the army line. Marcus defending our right wing and steps inside to try to take an intercept pass which would have been the first score. “Forward” we cry but not given and the Army player goes the distance to score and the conversion is made 0-7 (This is the only time in the competition Irish will be behind.)
After 4 minutes Peter makes a break down the right wing following strong play by Tagi, This leads to a scrum for Irish where Dodge is caught again, a cry of “get him off” is heard in the stand, a bit harsh we thought in our group. Sure enough position is recovered quickly and Tagi and Marcus combine on the left wing the ball is recycled, Marcus fixes the last defender and Steffon crosses down the left wing and we score in the corner (5-7 at Half time) From the restart Irish get possession and play the ball from hand to hand making ground, eventually Tagi reaches the try line and throws a pass to Dodge (Good job we didn’t take him off) who scores under the posts (12–7) Marcus Watson goes off and is replaced by Sam Edgerley. Referee Small penalises the Army scrum half at a scrum and from the penalty Irish play the ball Sam makes a break and passes to Steffon who avoids one tackle and commits the last defender. Nick runs from the 22 to cross the line in the corner (17–7) Guy Armitage comes on for Tagi so now 3 Armitages in a side at once for the first time. Guy makes his first big tackle but the ball is slipped away and the Army score again but the conversion is missed (17-12). On the restart Nick takes possession again and the ball is passed from Guy to Delon to Steffon. Sam is on the wing and is tackled to touch. The line out is taken as time runs out, Peter takes the ball and Sam goes for the corner but is tackled to touch and the game ends (17-12)
Cup Semi Final: Irish v Saracens
Sam Edgerley replaces Tagi in the starting line up for this game. The game starts a bit scrappily but Sam passes to Steffon who goes in at the corner (5-0) From the restart Nick jumps and knocks the ball back, Dodge picks up the lose ball and runs through the defence to score untouched under the posts 3 minutes gone and a 12-0 lead, all looking good so far. From the next restart Steffon recovers the ball on the ground and we keep position again. Marcus makes a break but gets a bit isolated and Sarries have their first sustained attack, a loose pass gives us the ball and play is stopped while Mr Barnes sends off a streaker (Sam says as he used his card he should have to complete lots of paper work!) With about 40 second to go Irish knock the ball on in front of their own posts. Sarries Jamie Hearn crosses the line to score as the hooter goes, the kick is missed leaving Irish still a score up (12-5) HT
Tagi replaces Sam at half time. Steffon and Peter seal a scrum early in the second half giving Irish the ball. A few phases later and Irish are awarded a penalty, Peter uses Mr Barnes as a shield and scores in the corner, Steffon has another go at the kick which misses again (17-5). Sarries score under the posts quickly to make it 17-12 with 3 minutes to go. A break by Tagi takes us down the field but another knock on loses possession. Guy comes on for Nick and joins the scrum. Richards tackles a Sarries player into touch but with no Nick we lose possession at the lineout. Mr Barnes makes himself very popular with the Irish support giving a forward pass that may have been flat! Ben comes on for Dodge and Irish keep position until the hooter goes and Tagi runs over the touch line. We are in a final at Twickenham again (twice in 3 months!)
Cup Final: Irish v Samurai Internationals
There is lots of nervous people around us in the stand as the Samurai include a number of class players from around the world including; Amor, Injera, Kayange and Walsh so we wondered how similar the two finals would be.
The final would be 10 minutes each way. From the kick-off Irish gain possession and within the first minute Peter didn’t quite manage to ground the ball over the try line. Samurai kicked it clear two minutes in and Irish take position when Peter wraps up one of the Samurai in the tackle and the ball won’t come out. Delon chips over the top and the ball bounces nicely into his hand, he goes under the posts to score (7-0) similar to the GP final we lead! Samurai have a period of possession Tagi draws 4 players towards him near half way and releases the ball to Marcus who goes in at the corner. Delon tries the conversion which hits the post and comes out (similar to the final) (12-0) Samurai make a break but pass the ball forward and are called back, Half time is approaching can Irish score another try? Peter makes a break down the right wing and feeds Dodge who goes under the posts to score a try as the hooter goes (Unlike the final!!) (19-0) HT
It’s looking good for Irish but we are still a bit worried, one more score and surely it will be ours. Irish have possession from the restart taken by Nick (Shame he missed the final it might have been different!) Eventually Nick tries to chip Amor and the ball hits him in the face and bounces out. The restart is won and goes out to the centres Tagi breaks a tackle and crosses near to the post the conversion is made (26-0) with 6 minutes to go and we are beginning to believe that it will be our day. Guy is on again for Nick. With 4 minutes to go Tagi tackles Willy Bishop rather high and takes a two minute rest.
During the first part of the yellow card period the Samurai keep the ball and cross the line. Irish force them wide making the conversion difficult but Amor makes it easily (26-7) From the restart Guy takes position and Irish keep the ball. Ben comes on for Peter and 2 minutes or so to go and Irish kicks deep down field (like in the final) Bishop runs the ball back and again crosses the line in the corner, Amor misses the kick. Samurai still need 2 converted tries to draw at 26-12 with only a minute left. Sam comes on for Tagi. Samurai get the possession but are tackled into touch. The hooter goes but the ref gives several penalties to Samurai who eventually cross the line to score. The final score is 26-17.
Irish had won and all the supporters and players there clearly felt much better than in May. Well done to all involved both the “old” and “new” players and coaches and good luck for the rest of the season. Let’s hope we end up with another trophy or two next May
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StumbleuponIrish’s first silverware of 2009/10
Posted by: The Craic www.londonirish.org (IP Logged)
Date: 18/08/2009 18:38
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Re: Irish’s first silverware of 2009/10
Posted by: baldstumpy (IP Logged)
Date: 18/08/2009 20:33
Reads as good as it was watched
Re: Irish’s first silverware of 2009/10
Posted by: waltham (IP Logged)
Date: 19/08/2009 10:34
Just like bieng there....duh, we were!
Re: Irish’s first silverware of 2009/10
Posted by: Carlovian (IP Logged)
Date: 19/08/2009 11:52
Thanks, Jon - great report. Saw you all on TV - standing, cheering, waving flags - so surprised you had time to make any notes at all!
Well done that man.
K
Well done that man.
K
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