The question was would we show the free-flowing backs of that day, the mid-field dominance of the Leeds game or the sheer forward might of the Gloucester match. The answer in the end was all of the above, nearly.

The game took place in that strange stadium Causeway (née Adams Park) and winter was reminding us its not far away. Billy Conolly holds the view that there is no such thing as bad weather, merely inappropriate clothing, this was that match that happens annually to remind you of the truth this statement. At least the skies were clear so rain wasn’t adding its weight to the cold.

From the K.O. both teams appeared to want to run the ball. Wasps showed their desire and had the greater of the possession. With much movement on and off the ball Irish were caught crossing trying to run the ball clear after an attack and Mark Van Gisbergen made the kick. 2 minutes gone, 3 – 0.

More of the same followed, Wasps running the ball into Irish territory only to be held, Irish finally getting possession and failing to clear it. On 5 minutes Wasps were given a second penalty, I can’t tell you what it was for. I suspect the ref, if pushed, could have come up with something but, from Darren Edwards’ animated discussion with one of the touch-judges, neither the other two officials nor the players could have second-guessed him. MVG missed the kick and play continued.

Irish seemed determined to keep ball in-hand, running out from their own 22, there was a strong wind against us so perhaps this was the reason but for those who watched last season it got a little scary at times. Unlike last season though, the Exiles managed to retain the ball and eventually got a penalty which, sadly, Tofty missed touch with.

Wasps spun the ball wide on the counter-attack eventually being forced to kick deep, which was caught by Sheasby who began a run back. You know the one, he looks isolated but he holds the tackler well and support clears the lines. Well, no, he didn’t get the chance, the pedant in the red shirt had his arm up for a holding-on penalty before Sheasby’s mighty torso even hit the ground.

Now, much was said about the ref, Wayne Barnes, after the match, little of it nice. It always sounds like sour grapes. In parts, though, I thought he was genuinely woeful. He’s a young chap and I hope he learns but he seemed to referee, not what he could see, but what he thought was happening. The above Sheasby incident is a great example of this, we’ve seen Chris look isolated but have the strength to get away with it many times. Mr Barnes (any relation I wonder?) saw a single LI player held by a couple of Wasps players and expected a holding-on offence so he blew it. The fact that it didn’t happen didn’t seem to bother him.

Wasps missed the penalty but our relief was only short-lived as the re-start drop-out went straight to touch. Irish repaired the damage by disrupting the following scrum, something they did all day. Phil Murphy picked up and rocketed up the field, for an allegedly fat, unfit bloke he can’t half move. Eventually caught in Wasps 22 the ball was spun out wide left to an apparent overlap. Wasps defence steeled itself and what must have been so nearly a try was stopped. Mr Barnes had spotted a penalty, which Tofty duly converted to make it 3 all after 11 minutes.

From the re-start Wasps again, built good possession, winning ball and causing LI defence to stretch. A penalty given just inside our half was kicked, bravely, to the corner by Wasps but the lineout was held back. A further penalty, nearer the posts, kicked for the corner again, was hit way too flat and caught by an LI player (Hardwick I think) and run back into the Wasps half.

The game continued like this for a number of minutes, attacks and counter-attacks repelled and returned by each side. A combination of mistakes and fierce defence on both sides stopped any sign of a promising break until the 24th minute where Wasps finally moved the ball out quickly enough to cause an overlap. Despite desperate tackles from the Irish Shane Roiser eventually crossed the line for a try to Wasps. To give credit where it is due, Roiser looked bright all afternoon and well deserved this try which was converted by Van Gisbergen.

Irish replied to this with a newly fired up attack. More phases rolled on, Wasps rallied and stopped the attack to attempt one themselves. When this broke down Murphy again showed his speed and broke away on another lovely run. Again the ball was spun out but the attack was stopped by a blatant offside from the Wasps defence. Mr Barnes gave a good talking to the Wasps player but failed to produce a card. It must have been close. Tofty missed the penalty.

At some point during his second break-away, Phil Murphy had taken a knock. It was difficult to tell the extent of the injury but Declan Danaher replaced him and, despite my appreciation for Dec and his fine performance, we missed Murph. Hope it’s not serious.

More open-play was swapped at the end of the first half, Mr Barnes showed his depth of knowledge of the laws by penalising Irish for failing to remain bound in the scrum. Van Gisbergen converted this to make it 13 - 3. He extended this in first-half injury time when Irish were caught offside.

Half time was called with the score a miserable (and to my mind not reflective) 16 – 3 to Wasps.

From the whistle it was obvious Irish were fired-up for the second half. Immediately taking play to Wasps and winning a penalty for hands in the ruck which Tofty converted. Play continued with a renewed Irish team making the able Wasps defence work hard. Despite much effort all Irish could come away with was a penalty for another Wasps offside. The score had now been pegged-back to 16 – 9.

After a deep re-start Ed Thrower set off on a mighty solo-run. He carried the ball from his own 22 through virtually the entire Wasps team roared-on mightily by the bewigged. Just when it looked like it would be a fantastic solo try the final Wasps defender caught him and took him into touch on the 5 metre line. Ed could have possibly kicked ahead to make the try, we’ll never know, but it was excellent to see a young player with the confidence to back himself into the final tackle. Unlucky Ed, you’ll get it next time.

Wasps failed to clear the lineout and it looked like Irish pressure would finally tell. The ball was passed up and down trying to find a chink in the black and gold line. Tofty decided points were required and set-up for the drop, unfortunately it was a little obvious and the attempt was charged down easily. It was a great shame because the Wasps defence, while looking solid, was starting to creak and you felt that a try couldn’t have been that far off.

The counter-attack rumbled down the pitch but was halted by some superb tackling and immense forward play. The scrum was given to Irish and Nils Mordt was replaced by Rob Hoadley. Nils has been much criticised but I felt he had a much better game and was starting to look comfortable. From the scrum Irish made ground and were given another penalty for Wasps holding onto ball when their counter was tackled. Tofty, again, made the kick and with just under half-an-hour left to play the score was a much more respectable 16 – 12.

Another period of attack-swapping followed with Wasps, perhaps sensing Irish coming back into it and raising their game, just edging it and eventually winning a penalty which they kicked to the corner. The catch-and-drive lineout was held magnificently by Irish and Wasps were caught infringing in the ensuing ruck. The penalty was taken quickly and spun out very quickly, another Irish counter-attack looked very good.

Wasps managed to hold the attack giving Irish an attacking scrum just inside the Wasps 22m. Unfortunately, as happened a great deal during the match, a good attacking position came to nothing. Scrums, normally under total Irish control failed to yield quick ball in attacking positions and lineouts close to the Wasps try-line were over-thrown or under-jumped. Wasps collected the ball after a scrappy scrum and broke for another terrifying counter.

Its very fortunate for us that Paul Sackey hasn’t been spotted by Clive Woodward as the high-calibre player he is as, without him, this (and another later) would have been a sure try. Sackey put in the last-minute hit that took the Wasps flyer into touch centimetres before the try. Irish were given a penalty in the lineout that followed to allow an easy clearance kick. The next lineout produced a further penalty (I suspect Mr Barnes had got to the “Lineouts” section in his manual) which Tofty kicked over the posts to bring a nail-biting 16 - 15 score-line with 15 minutes left.
Again Wasps raised their game pushing into Irish territory and making many hard yards but the Irish mid-field wouldn’t let them through. Van Gisbergen, keen obviously to prove he’s not just a kicker, showed a number of great moves stepping off both feet and causing a couple of breaks through the Irish line. One such break was stopped by a tackle from Bish so fierce that the unfortunate man in black and gold will still be feeling it when we next play at the Causeway Stadium. It made Josh Lewsey’s hit on Matt Rogers in the Australian test look like a handshake. Top stuff Justin it is great to see you back on form.

More broken play with neither team making much headway saw the end of Rob Hardwick’s and Naka Drotske’s games (replaced by Pierre Durandt and Adrian Flavin). Wasps began to push forward looking a little brighter than Irish who just managed to stop a flying run. Rob Hoadley was sin-binned for his part in stopping the try. I can’t say if he was guilty but I suspect so, Stuart Barnes would, probably, be singing his praises. Van Gisbergen made the kick, 5 minutes left and 19 – 15.

Wasps now had the measure of Irish and managed to weather the 5 minutes plus injury time with the same pattern of play. Wasps would hamper the Irish mid-field making no territory but eventually stretching a hole and making a break. Irish would push them back and we’d start again. Inevitably we were caught offside in virtually the final act of the game and Van Gisbergen, Wasps’ man-of-the-match, slotted the penalty to make the final score Wasps 22 – 15 London Irish.

A disappointing day, I suspect the lads will be kicking themselves. We won a bonus point in a match which could have been a pasting but you can’t help thinking “what if…” Our third loss, albeit to top-of-the-table opposition, in a match we had every chance to win. Bath are taking the wins from these games and we are not that’s why Bath are unbeaten in first place and we are back down to seventh with three wins and three frustrating could-have-beens.

There were some huge performances from the Exiles, my list for MOTM would include Ed Thrower who made a fantastic first appearance of the season and will make Michael work hard to keep his 15 jersey. Phil Murphy would have been a shoe-in had he stayed on the pitch and kept his efforts at the same level. Justin Bishop made a number of huge hits and some superb runs. Kieran Dawson was, as ever, superb and didn’t get carded which is always a bonus. I suspect a couple of the front-row are worth a mention but from behind the goal I find it difficult to get any idea of what the big lads are doing.

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