By Sam_R43
December 30 2014
Living in the North West I haven’t got to go to many games this season. In fact, this was my first visit to the Madstad this season. Whether or not that was a good thing I wasn’t sure. But it couldn’t have been a much more important game though.
Welsh hadn’t won, and had been humiliated in the vast majority of their games too. But we haven’t exactly been in flying form. So in the car to the game we really weren’t sure what to expect. Are we going to win? Are we going to win by 40? Can we expect a try bonus? Or the unthinkable, are we going to give Welsh their first win? The equation seemed fairly simple though. Win and we’re probably safe from relegation for another season, lose and we’re in for a nervous game in Oxford in February.
The teams, the team news and the weather all suggested it wouldn’t be a Boxing Day thriller. But at least we had a real opportunity for our first home league win of the season. As the players took to the field for warm up the rain began to fall. The opening exchanges seemed to put us on top, but Tom missing his first penalty from 25m out in front of the posts was a worrying start! Then missing his second from a lot further out and Welsh scoring the first points, it was all a bit tense!
It didn’t get much better. We were in the ascendancy in terms of territory and possession but, going for the corner and coughing up possession 5m out twice in a row didn’t fill us with confidence. Feels like we’re not going to win by a cricket score!
Eventually we took another kickable penalty and Tom levelled the score to 3-3. And 5 minutes later, Shane kicks the ball through into their 22m and Fergus collects and fends off the Welsh player, before a brilliant offload out the back to Lewington who goes over for the try. Converted by Tom to put us 10-6 ahead – Fortunately whoever is in charge of replays at the Madstad took off the replay off the screen before sir could see the questionable offside from Shanes kick!
Next was a bit of a flash point. In a driving maul going forward, Dan Leo was trying to drag Tom May out the side. Tom May objected and as he looked round swung his elbow in Dan’s direction and caught him in the face. As Dan dragged May to the floor he swang his arm round and caught May in the face. After many replays sir decided that both May and Dan were worthy of red cards - I tend to agree. After Hartley’s red card the week before, the precedent was clearly set for May. Foolishly, Dan Leo didn’t react like Matt Smith and jump to the floor, he gave sir a decision to make. And as he dragged a player to the floor and swung his arm, missed with a fist and connected with a forearm, for me that is worthy of a red card. Either way, Kieran didn’t look in the least bit happy that his blood replacement got sent off and put him out of the game!
Welsh scored the next points and made the score 10-9 with 4 minutes left in the half. What we really needed to do was see the half out without conceding. We nearly went one better, another chip over the top by Shane was collected by Topsy who went over for a try. But, after being checked by sir, it was clear that Topsy was in front of Shane when he kicked it. This wasn’t the first and wouldn’t be the last time that Topsy poorly timed his run. But with that, the half finished 10-6.
As the players came out for the second half, we saw Gilsenan was on, replacing Noakes. Restoring the balance of seven forwards each. But during the first few minutes of the second half I came to the realisation that we aren’t very good. The forwards were on top, and the maul was looking like a powerful weapon. But outside of that we were pretty woeful. We had outside half standing deep, and shipping the ball out wide without going forward. None of the centres or wingers running and lines, just taking the ball and running into opposition players. So for the second half I decided we should just be boring and kick for territory and play with the forwards, especially seen as the rain seemed to be falling ever harder.
After not a lot happened for 12 minutes we had a strong maul rolling up to the Welsh 5m line. The ball was shipped along the line, eventually some forwards came round the corner and Geoff Cross barrelled over for the try! Tom kicked the conversion and made the score, a much more comfortable, 17-6.
Welsh then caught us unaware with a quick tap penalty which moved them 60m further up field and inside our 22m and eventually up to our 5m. Fortunately, someone conceded the penalty and gave them a chance for 3, rather than giving away 7! Welsh kicked the three and make the score 17-9.
A few substitutions later, we again work ourselves into a strong possession. Winning a penalty and kicking to the corner with 13 minutes to go. Another strong lineout drive lead to Tom Court going over the line for our third try! Converted to make the score 24-9.
Sadly, that was the last scoring play of the game. We never really worked ourselves into a strong enough position to work for the bonus point try. But we manage to stay strong in defence for the last few minutes with Welsh camped on our try line and hold them out.
So, full-time and a crucial win for us. Meaning we’re, more than likely, safe from relegation thanks to Welsh. And our first home win in the league this season. It also meant we jumped Newcastle and are up to the dizzying heights of 10th!
However, most of the people we spoke to afterwards agreed it wasn’t a good game. Not helped by the weather, but it was clear this was two very poor teams. And for me, the same problems continue. The backline is flat, whether its confidence or lack of skill or lack of training. Having fly half standing that deep, no one running on to the ball, and no one running lines off each other, we’re not going to look dangerous. Look at the top teams, Bath & Northampton both have exciting back lines, with strong playmakers. I fear without changing it we’ll be in for a long rest of the season.
And a word on Welsh. I really feel for them. I’m hugely grateful from an LI perspective, but its not good to watch from a rugby perspective. To have your team being bullied from week to week is not good for the sport. And think that the powers at be need to (and I think are) looking at the Championship promotion situation. Welsh needed more time to build a competitive squad from the Premiership. Sadly for us, I don’t think Brizzle or Wuss will have the same problem next year!
So count your blessings as the new year begins! A win against Welsh, and likely safety from relegation. And a blessing it might be, that I wont be at Sarries this weekend, but I’m a sucker for punishment so I’ll be sure to be watching on BT Sport. After all, the beauty of rugby, and especially London Irish is you never know what might happen. We’re undefeated at Allianz Park…
COYI!
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Quote:Sam_R43
During the first few minutes of the second half I came to the realisation that we aren’t very good