Singing The Blues
By Big-Al
November 17 2009
Cardiff Blues v London Irish LV= Cup, Sunday 15th November
The hardest part of writing a match report it has to be coming up with a suitable title if possible it needs to be slightly amusing or relevant to our opponents, or better still both. We are playing against Cardiff Blues, so I need to include either Blue or Blues in the title and they do like to sing a bit in Wales ...
November 17 2009
Cardiff Blues v London Irish LV= Cup, Sunday 15th November
The hardest part of writing a match report it has to be coming up with a suitable title if possible it needs to be slightly amusing or relevant to our opponents, or better still both. We are playing against Cardiff Blues, so I need to include either Blue or Blues in the title and they do like to sing a bit in Wales ...
... so Singing the Blues it is (ok, I fail on amusing but I did manage to mention the Blues).
An early-ish start to the day as I was getting the supporters coach from the MadStad and 9am we had a little bit of fun and games to start the journey as one of our number had missed the station pick-up time and headed to the Swan, but as no one required a pick up from the Swan we missed that stop and headed straight onto the motorway, but we did get chased down at Chieveley Services so all eventually on board and next stop Cardiff.
We were made very welcome Cardiff had set up an Irish quarter, including a band that did a very lively version of the fields, some Irish dancers and a Guinness Bar.
So onto the match Irish kick off playing from left to right as viewed from the Ninian Stand. Our team is similar to last weeks, although not quite as published on Friday, and like last week, it appears our opponents are fielding a more experienced team I am not too well up on the Magners league, but there are a fair few names in the Cardiff line up that I recognise.
The Blues have the better of the early exchanges, having more possession and territory, but no real danger. On 8 minutes Cardiff are pinged not sure if it was hands in the ruck or not rolling away. Tom Homer slots the penalty from about 5m into the Cardiff half Cardiff 0 London Irish 3. It does appear that Tom has a slight limp but it didnt effect his kicking.
On 11 minutes a high tackle on Tom Homer results in another Irish penalty, similar distance but more central than his first effort, however this time the kick drifts just wide of the posts. Tom still has a slight limp maybe this time it did effect his kicking.
After an exchange a kicks (quite a few each), Irish knock on and Cardiff have a scrum about 30m out this leads to a number of phases in the Irish 22. A Cardiff knock-on should have given us a chance to clear but Peter Richards is driven backwards after picking up from the base of the scrum but recycles and the danger is cleared, but only temporarily as Cardiff earn a penalty as they come back into the Irish half and Ceri Sweeney makes it 3-3 after about 18 minutes.
Next up, an Irish line out just outside our 22 Cardiff steal the lineout and in the process Gary Johnson takes a knock to his arm, but plays on for a few minutes until the next break in play before getting treatment. The next item of note is after about 22minutes, a Cardiff penalty for a high tackle about 10m into the Irish half but out wide they go for the corner rather than for the points but nothing comes from it.
After 26mins, Tom Homer is replaced by Marcus Watson Tom had been playing well, but he had been limping since just before scoring the first penalty. Marcus does not have the best introduction as he runs into a wall of Cardiff players and is turned over.
Following a lineout about 7m out Cardiff have a number of phases in the Irish 22 a few within a few metres of the line but the danger is repelled and a Cardiff knock on gives us the opportunity to clear.
After 34 minutes Jonathon Fisher replaces Gary Johnson.
Next up is the play of game as far as we are concerned, a quick penalty by Peter Richards and a run from half way to the 22, a little chip that he collects and he is finally stopped just a metre or 2 from the line. From the resulting Irish scrum, after a few phases Cardiff are awarded a penalty for holding on and clear their lines.
Next it is Peter Hewats turn to make a good break as he gets a hand on the ball in midfield and going forward gathers the ball and makes a good break well into the Cardiff half nearly half time and the game is coming to life.
Into injury time (no countdown clock) Irish are awarded a penalty about 5m into the Cardiff half kicking duties are passed to Peter Hewat who makes it Cardiff Blue 3 London Irish 6. From the restart Cardiff win a penalty on the Irish 22, but rather than taking the points, Richie Rees tries the quick tap and after a couple of phases the ball goes dead so it is half time and Irish lead 6-3.
Second Half Cardiff kick off, Irish collect and clear into the Cardiff half Cardiff hold on and it is an Irish penalty, once again about 5m into the Cardiff half Peter Hewat makes it Cardiff 3, London Irish 9 after 41 mins.
A minute later and we charge down a Cardiff kick and Steffon chases into the Cardiff 22, Irish win the ball, but Clarke knocks on with the try line begging. From the resulting scrum Cardiff clear to the 22, and Steffon fumbles to give Cardiff another scrum, we win the ball back and this time it is Alex who drops the ball three handling errors in a minute!!
Cardiff make their first substitution as T Rhys Thomas comes on for Gareth Williams. A couple of minutes later we make another change as Dan Murphy replaces Clarke Dermody.
10 minutes into the half, Cardiff win a penalty in the Irish 22, probably for a hand being where it shouldnt be Ceri Sweeney makes it Cardiff Blues 6, London Irish 9.
Next up, after a sloppy pass by Irish in midfield, Cardiff get the ball and make what I have noted as a forward pass to Richie Rees who makes a 45 metre run to score in the corner. Sweeney misses the conversion attempt, so after 54 minutes it is Cardiff Blues 11, London Irish 9 (checking on Sky the pass WAS forward).
Not too much to report for a while apart from substitutions, Mike Catt replaces Chris Malone and James Buckland is on for David Paice. A couple of minutes later Cardiff replace Deiniol Jones with James Down. With Catty now running the show we do seem to be trying to pass the ball a bit more, but are let down by further handling errors. The next change is Ryan Lamb replacing Jonathan Joseph with around 12 minutes to go. Cardiff replace Gary Powell with Sam Hobbs. Neither side has threatened much for the last 10 minutes or so.
With about 7 or 8 minutes to go Ryan Lamb has a poor drop goal attempt which has neither length or accuracy but Ryan always misses his first kick so it is good that he has his miss out of the way as a couple of minutes later we are awarded a penalty for a scrum offence and Ryan kicks from 35m out not the easiest of angles, but the kick is good Cardiff Blues 11, London Irish 12 with 5 minutes plus injury time to go. Matt Garvey replaces Andy Perry.
As time runs down we are keeping play in the Cardiff half reset scrums are a good way to use up time. As we enter injury time we get a penalty for holding on about 8m into the Cardiff half and out wide Ryans attempt drifts wide. Cardiff attempt to run the ball out but knock on, so we are still keep the ball at the right end. Cardiff win a penalty and with time running out decide to run rather than go for the line out, they reach half way and get another penalty and go for the posts. Sweeneys kick is wide and the game is over. Full time Cardiff Blue 11, London Irish 12.
So whatever we may think of the LV= cup, we are still in the mix in our group just 2 points behind the Scarlets but as the pool format means we dont play them, it is in their hands.
It was not the greatest game of rugby ever, but it was not decided until the last kick, so it was our usual edge of the seat stuff and I enjoyed it (although with making notes for this report, taking photos, banging the tambourine maybe that is because I didnt have time to watch that much of it).
I think this game along with last weeks match shows that we have some good talent in our academy although maybe not yet the finished articles, the potential is certainly there and we know we have the coaching team to nurture it.
The Teams:
London Irish: 15 Tom Homer (Marcus Watson, 26min); 14 Peter Hewat; 13 Jonathan Joseph (Ryan Lamb 68min); 12 Charlie Gower; 11 John Rudd; 10 Chris Malone (Mike Catt 58min); 9 Peter Richards; 1 Clarke Dermody (Dan Murphy, 48min); 2 David Paice (James Buckland, 58min); 3 Alex Corbisiero; 4 Gary Johnson (Jonathon Fisher, 34min); 5 Andy Perry (M Garvey, 76min); 6 Kieran Roche; 7 Steffon Armitage; 8- Richard Thorpe. 16 James Buckland; 17 Dan Murphy; 18 Max Lahiff; 19 Matt Garvey; 20 Jonathon Joseph; 21 Marcus Watson; 22 Mike Catt; 23 Ryan Lamb
Cardiff Blues: 15 Sam Norton-Knight; 14 Richard Mustoe; 13 Gareth Thomas; 12 Dafydd Hewitt; 11 Chris Czekaj; 10 Ceri Sweeney; 9 Richie Rees; 1 Taufaao Filise; 2 Gareth Williams (T Rhys Thomas, 45min); 3 Gary Powell (Sam Hobbs, 71 min); 4 Deiniol Jones (James Down, 60min); 5 Scott Morgan; 6 Ben White; 7 Josh Navidi; 8 Xavier Rush. 16 T Rhys Thomas; 17 Sam Hobbs; 18 Scott Andrews; 19 James Down; 20 Chris Dicomidis; 21 Darren Allinson; 22 Gavin Evans; 23 Ben Blair
The Scores (Cardiff first): Tom Homer, penalty (9) 0-3; Ceri Sweeney, penalty (18) 3-3; Peter Hewat, penalty (40) 3-6; Peter Hewat, penalty (41) 3-9; Ceri Sweeney, penalty (50) 6-9; Richie Rees, try (54) 11-9; Ryan Lamb, penalty (76) 11-12
An early-ish start to the day as I was getting the supporters coach from the MadStad and 9am we had a little bit of fun and games to start the journey as one of our number had missed the station pick-up time and headed to the Swan, but as no one required a pick up from the Swan we missed that stop and headed straight onto the motorway, but we did get chased down at Chieveley Services so all eventually on board and next stop Cardiff.
We were made very welcome Cardiff had set up an Irish quarter, including a band that did a very lively version of the fields, some Irish dancers and a Guinness Bar.
So onto the match Irish kick off playing from left to right as viewed from the Ninian Stand. Our team is similar to last weeks, although not quite as published on Friday, and like last week, it appears our opponents are fielding a more experienced team I am not too well up on the Magners league, but there are a fair few names in the Cardiff line up that I recognise.
The Blues have the better of the early exchanges, having more possession and territory, but no real danger. On 8 minutes Cardiff are pinged not sure if it was hands in the ruck or not rolling away. Tom Homer slots the penalty from about 5m into the Cardiff half Cardiff 0 London Irish 3. It does appear that Tom has a slight limp but it didnt effect his kicking.
On 11 minutes a high tackle on Tom Homer results in another Irish penalty, similar distance but more central than his first effort, however this time the kick drifts just wide of the posts. Tom still has a slight limp maybe this time it did effect his kicking.
After an exchange a kicks (quite a few each), Irish knock on and Cardiff have a scrum about 30m out this leads to a number of phases in the Irish 22. A Cardiff knock-on should have given us a chance to clear but Peter Richards is driven backwards after picking up from the base of the scrum but recycles and the danger is cleared, but only temporarily as Cardiff earn a penalty as they come back into the Irish half and Ceri Sweeney makes it 3-3 after about 18 minutes.
Next up, an Irish line out just outside our 22 Cardiff steal the lineout and in the process Gary Johnson takes a knock to his arm, but plays on for a few minutes until the next break in play before getting treatment. The next item of note is after about 22minutes, a Cardiff penalty for a high tackle about 10m into the Irish half but out wide they go for the corner rather than for the points but nothing comes from it.
After 26mins, Tom Homer is replaced by Marcus Watson Tom had been playing well, but he had been limping since just before scoring the first penalty. Marcus does not have the best introduction as he runs into a wall of Cardiff players and is turned over.
Following a lineout about 7m out Cardiff have a number of phases in the Irish 22 a few within a few metres of the line but the danger is repelled and a Cardiff knock on gives us the opportunity to clear.
After 34 minutes Jonathon Fisher replaces Gary Johnson.
Next up is the play of game as far as we are concerned, a quick penalty by Peter Richards and a run from half way to the 22, a little chip that he collects and he is finally stopped just a metre or 2 from the line. From the resulting Irish scrum, after a few phases Cardiff are awarded a penalty for holding on and clear their lines.
Next it is Peter Hewats turn to make a good break as he gets a hand on the ball in midfield and going forward gathers the ball and makes a good break well into the Cardiff half nearly half time and the game is coming to life.
Into injury time (no countdown clock) Irish are awarded a penalty about 5m into the Cardiff half kicking duties are passed to Peter Hewat who makes it Cardiff Blue 3 London Irish 6. From the restart Cardiff win a penalty on the Irish 22, but rather than taking the points, Richie Rees tries the quick tap and after a couple of phases the ball goes dead so it is half time and Irish lead 6-3.
Second Half Cardiff kick off, Irish collect and clear into the Cardiff half Cardiff hold on and it is an Irish penalty, once again about 5m into the Cardiff half Peter Hewat makes it Cardiff 3, London Irish 9 after 41 mins.
A minute later and we charge down a Cardiff kick and Steffon chases into the Cardiff 22, Irish win the ball, but Clarke knocks on with the try line begging. From the resulting scrum Cardiff clear to the 22, and Steffon fumbles to give Cardiff another scrum, we win the ball back and this time it is Alex who drops the ball three handling errors in a minute!!
Cardiff make their first substitution as T Rhys Thomas comes on for Gareth Williams. A couple of minutes later we make another change as Dan Murphy replaces Clarke Dermody.
10 minutes into the half, Cardiff win a penalty in the Irish 22, probably for a hand being where it shouldnt be Ceri Sweeney makes it Cardiff Blues 6, London Irish 9.
Next up, after a sloppy pass by Irish in midfield, Cardiff get the ball and make what I have noted as a forward pass to Richie Rees who makes a 45 metre run to score in the corner. Sweeney misses the conversion attempt, so after 54 minutes it is Cardiff Blues 11, London Irish 9 (checking on Sky the pass WAS forward).
Not too much to report for a while apart from substitutions, Mike Catt replaces Chris Malone and James Buckland is on for David Paice. A couple of minutes later Cardiff replace Deiniol Jones with James Down. With Catty now running the show we do seem to be trying to pass the ball a bit more, but are let down by further handling errors. The next change is Ryan Lamb replacing Jonathan Joseph with around 12 minutes to go. Cardiff replace Gary Powell with Sam Hobbs. Neither side has threatened much for the last 10 minutes or so.
With about 7 or 8 minutes to go Ryan Lamb has a poor drop goal attempt which has neither length or accuracy but Ryan always misses his first kick so it is good that he has his miss out of the way as a couple of minutes later we are awarded a penalty for a scrum offence and Ryan kicks from 35m out not the easiest of angles, but the kick is good Cardiff Blues 11, London Irish 12 with 5 minutes plus injury time to go. Matt Garvey replaces Andy Perry.
As time runs down we are keeping play in the Cardiff half reset scrums are a good way to use up time. As we enter injury time we get a penalty for holding on about 8m into the Cardiff half and out wide Ryans attempt drifts wide. Cardiff attempt to run the ball out but knock on, so we are still keep the ball at the right end. Cardiff win a penalty and with time running out decide to run rather than go for the line out, they reach half way and get another penalty and go for the posts. Sweeneys kick is wide and the game is over. Full time Cardiff Blue 11, London Irish 12.
So whatever we may think of the LV= cup, we are still in the mix in our group just 2 points behind the Scarlets but as the pool format means we dont play them, it is in their hands.
It was not the greatest game of rugby ever, but it was not decided until the last kick, so it was our usual edge of the seat stuff and I enjoyed it (although with making notes for this report, taking photos, banging the tambourine maybe that is because I didnt have time to watch that much of it).
I think this game along with last weeks match shows that we have some good talent in our academy although maybe not yet the finished articles, the potential is certainly there and we know we have the coaching team to nurture it.
The Teams:
London Irish: 15 Tom Homer (Marcus Watson, 26min); 14 Peter Hewat; 13 Jonathan Joseph (Ryan Lamb 68min); 12 Charlie Gower; 11 John Rudd; 10 Chris Malone (Mike Catt 58min); 9 Peter Richards; 1 Clarke Dermody (Dan Murphy, 48min); 2 David Paice (James Buckland, 58min); 3 Alex Corbisiero; 4 Gary Johnson (Jonathon Fisher, 34min); 5 Andy Perry (M Garvey, 76min); 6 Kieran Roche; 7 Steffon Armitage; 8- Richard Thorpe. 16 James Buckland; 17 Dan Murphy; 18 Max Lahiff; 19 Matt Garvey; 20 Jonathon Joseph; 21 Marcus Watson; 22 Mike Catt; 23 Ryan Lamb
Cardiff Blues: 15 Sam Norton-Knight; 14 Richard Mustoe; 13 Gareth Thomas; 12 Dafydd Hewitt; 11 Chris Czekaj; 10 Ceri Sweeney; 9 Richie Rees; 1 Taufaao Filise; 2 Gareth Williams (T Rhys Thomas, 45min); 3 Gary Powell (Sam Hobbs, 71 min); 4 Deiniol Jones (James Down, 60min); 5 Scott Morgan; 6 Ben White; 7 Josh Navidi; 8 Xavier Rush. 16 T Rhys Thomas; 17 Sam Hobbs; 18 Scott Andrews; 19 James Down; 20 Chris Dicomidis; 21 Darren Allinson; 22 Gavin Evans; 23 Ben Blair
The Scores (Cardiff first): Tom Homer, penalty (9) 0-3; Ceri Sweeney, penalty (18) 3-3; Peter Hewat, penalty (40) 3-6; Peter Hewat, penalty (41) 3-9; Ceri Sweeney, penalty (50) 6-9; Richie Rees, try (54) 11-9; Ryan Lamb, penalty (76) 11-12
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StumbleuponSinging The Blues
Posted by: The Craic www.londonirish.org (IP Logged)
Date: 17/11/2009 02:14
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Re: Singing The Blues
Posted by: Eek_the_Weeble (IP Logged)
Date: 17/11/2009 08:13
Lovely report young man
Re: Singing The Blues
Posted by: cailνn ϊr (IP Logged)
Date: 17/11/2009 10:21
Well written report Al and you didn't look half bad on the telly either
Re: Singing The Blues
Posted by: MontrealExile (IP Logged)
Date: 17/11/2009 14:30
You have missed your vocation Al. Well done...
ME
RUGBY PLAYERS DO IT WITH LEATHER BALLS
ME
RUGBY PLAYERS DO IT WITH LEATHER BALLS
Re: Singing The Blues
Posted by: MadMonk (IP Logged)
Date: 17/11/2009 14:44
Multi-talented, all this and pictures too!
Re: Singing The Blues
Posted by: Props are not stupid (IP Logged)
Date: 17/11/2009 22:13
Thanks for the report, Big-Al. This was a game for the die hard supporters, thanks for going and telling us about it.
Your win-lose ratio on match reports is improving!
Your win-lose ratio on match reports is improving!
Re: Singing The Blues
Posted by: Clontarf (IP Logged)
Date: 18/11/2009 10:03
Thanks for the report, it was good to read about it.
I wish I'd realised it was on the telly, the Gateway showed the 1st half before the Ireland v Aussie game and the 2nd half at about 7.00pm, so I got to see the last few minutes of the 1st half and when the 2nd half came on about 7ish I decided it made sense to go home for dinner.
It will be wonderful if the players who don't feature regularly in the 1st XV can put some pressure on them by getting out of the pool stage, although I realise we are relying on Scarletts to slip up.
I wish I'd realised it was on the telly, the Gateway showed the 1st half before the Ireland v Aussie game and the 2nd half at about 7.00pm, so I got to see the last few minutes of the 1st half and when the 2nd half came on about 7ish I decided it made sense to go home for dinner.
It will be wonderful if the players who don't feature regularly in the 1st XV can put some pressure on them by getting out of the pool stage, although I realise we are relying on Scarletts to slip up.
Re: Singing The Blues
Posted by: Eileen & Mike (IP Logged)
Date: 19/11/2009 01:05
It's Wednesday night and we've just finished the sausages!!
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