Will we ever win?
By Craic Me Up
April 20 2004
Last weekend Gloucester lost to a Wasp side that played some of the best rugby seen this season. This Sunday was a completely different affair.
April 20 2004
Last weekend Gloucester lost to a Wasp side that played some of the best rugby seen this season. This Sunday was a completely different affair.
This wasn’t quite as much as a Gloucester sides repayment to the shed that many of their faithful seemed to expect, more a case of a pair of determined sides trying to get the better of each other in poor conditions.
There are few grounds in the Zurich Premiership where the supporters are as passionate and vociferous as Kingsholm Park, Gloucester. There is an atmosphere around the place that makes it a formidable venue for any visiting team. As a supporter on the terraces, it is a daunting, yet exciting experience. Heaven only knows what it must be like being a player running out right into the middle of it. Whatever the experience of playing at Kingsholm, only the strong can come through and win. Irish had a valiant attempt at being strong, but sheer power and determination won Gloucester the game and nothing can take that away from them.
Gloucester kicked off with the ball falling into Ryan Strudwick capable hands. A clearance by the Irish back line got charged down by Gloucester, but luckily fell for Irish to recapture. Barry Everitt then cleared for the kick only to fall at Gloucester feet. Gloucester punted the ball forward, courtesy of Henry Paul, for Garvey to chase which Horak cleaned up but he was forced into touch on the Irish five metre line. Glaws won the lineout comfortably and tried to push the Irish pack forward towards the line. The Irish pack disintegrated and the ball popped out for McRae to chip forward for Gloucester from five metres out, splitting the Irish defence, which Henry Paul gently glided onto unopposed for Glaws first try. Paul converted, 1 Min gone 7 – 0.
Barry took the restart towards the Glaws 22 which was punted back into the Irish half. Murphy was there to clean up the ball and take a quick line out which he then forged forward into the Gloucester line. Fortey went over the top of the ruck for Glaws allowing Everitt to kick into Glaws 22. The Lineout taken by LI was not straight and the scrum to Glaws allowed them to try to force their way through the Irish defence forcing an error. Glaws kicked well into the Irish half. Lineout ball is passed inside for Glaws to try the crash ball, and the ball is punted forward towards the Irish 5 metre line. The Irish lineout is turned over and passed out to Glaws left for Simpson-Daniel to push forwards. Sackey is there to halt the advance for Appleford to fumble forward. Glaws take the ball out of the scrum to setup McRae for a drop goal from outside the 22. 4 min, 10 – 0.
Irish restart gets punted back by Glaws for Murph to prevent going into touch. Murph drives forward again and the ball gets played out wide to Sackey on the Right. Sackey is forced into touch inside the Glaws 10 metre. Glaws win the lineout and clear for Horak to catch. Glaws get penalised for not staying on their feet in the ruck and Barry’s kick goes straight to Glaws and allows Gloucester to come back on the offensive. Strudders picks up the clearance but the ball is eventually turned over by Glaws, but Irish get a let off with Vickery providing a poor pass forcing a mistake by Van Der Bergh. Murphy takes the ball from the scrum allowing Edwards to drive the ball forward supported by the pack. Irish get pulled back during an advantage due to the Ref stopping play for Van Der Berg who was seemingly out cold on the deck. Barry takes the kick and gets the points. 13 min's, 10 – 3.
The restart from Glaws goes straight back to Barry who clears well inside the Glaws half. Glaws push back inside Irish territory where Horak attempts a clearance which goes little more then a few yards forward across field. Glaws continue to push forward, forcing Sackey to slip under pressure on 16 min’s, but the Exiles are lucky to get away and Barry clears to their own 10 metre. Glaws take the lineout and get their passing game underway and play the ball out wide to their right. The Glaws wingers have plenty of space after a missed pass, but Simpson-Daniel fumbles slightly allowing the Irish defence to come in and usher the ball into touch.
20 min’s in and Irish have a lineout inside the Glaws half driven well forward by Muprh. The ball gets punted forward for Glaws to reply back into the Irish half. Murph collects again and drives forward. The ball gets out to the right and Horak supports the forwards and picks the ball up just inside the Glaws half, glances past a tackle by Parramore for Glaws and heads for the line supported by Sackey. Fanolua drags Horak down close to the line, and the ref, Ray Maybank, feels he needs the assistance of the fourth official to make the decision. Try is given, Barry converts, 21 min’s 10 – 10.
Glaws take the restart right back into the heart of the Irish defence, Fanolua takes the ball forward and Irish are then faced with a left sided attack from Glaws of five players with no cover from the Irish defence. Were it not for a poor pass by Simpson-Daniel behind his support, it would almost certainly have been another Gloucester try. Irish reform and Big Bob Casey protects further Irish blushes allowing Barry to clear.
25 minutes in, and Irish are still defending their line from a keen Glaws attack. At times the Irish defence shows little sign of any structure, but survives some lengthy pressure by Glaws. Gloucester win a lineout 5 metres out and drive forward. The Irish defence is solid and denies the west country boys. Gloucester think they have finally found a way through but the ref awards Irish a scrum for Boer running into his own player.
32 minutes, Glaws are still applying strong pressure against an Irish defence. The ball is chipped through by Gomarsall on the left for Andy Hazel to chase, but the ball finds the corner before it can be touched down allowing Irish a scrum out on their 22.
Gloucester came back again on the attack just inside the Irish half, Barry Everitt was caught tackling high on his opposite number, McRae, and the ref awarded a penalty to Glaws just inside the Irish half. Paul attempts the long kick which falls short. 36 min’s 10 – 10.
With half time looming, Gloucester put some smooth passes together to get themselves again within a few minutes of the Irish line. An infringement by Irish provides another opportunity for Henry Paul to take another kick from the Glaws right, which he takes without error. 38 min’s 13 – 10.
Murphy takes the ball into the Gloucester half after the restart, forcing an error by Glaws on their own 10 metre line. The kick allows Barry to pull things level just before half time. Barry teases the travelling supporters behind the posts by skilfully getting the ball to hit the crossbar and fall just the other side. 40 min’s, 13 – 13.
Glaws come straight back into LI territory and punt a kick towards the corner. Michael Horak marshals the ball towards touch with Garvey chasing. The linesman gives the lineout to Gloucester in front of the shed after failing to notice Garvey nudge the ball into touch with his boot. This is a turning point in the game without any doubt. From the subsequent lineout, Gloucester form a rolling maul which eases past the crumbling Irish pack, allowing Chris Fortey to take the ball over the line for a try. Henry Paul converts.
There are some people who claim the shed win Gloucester some points in a season; I don’t understand why people say this myself. 43 min’s 18 – 13. Half Time.
Irish restart after the break and push into the Gloucester half. The Irish pack forces a Glaws maul backwards and the ball is sent deep into the exiles half. Sackey cleans up the ball forging forward, earning Irish a free kick which gets them back into Glaws territory.
After 45 minutes, Irish have a scrum inside the Gloucester half. The Glaws pack overwhelms the Irish scrum, with the Irish loosehead crumbling under Glaws pressure. Glaws win a lineout back inside the Irish half. Irish win back the ball with some sound defence, but loose the ball after the ref deems Sackey's attempted chip to be a knock on.
Glaws increase the pressure on LI after 49 minutes, eventually punting the ball forward again for Garvey to chase. Bishop cleans up for Irish on the try line with the assistance of a well timed presence by the captain, Ryan Strudwick, to carry the ball out of the Irish in-goal to save the day.
The ref consults his shed side touch judge out on the right after 53 minutes after an apparent infringement by Ryan Strudwick in the ruck. A penalty is awarded allowing Henry Paul to make the kick. 54 min’s 21 – 13.
Gloucester again come back strong from the restart forcing Irish to make mistakes in their own half. Wave after wave of Glaws attack comes in against the Irish defence, trying to find a way through. Irish muster their energy and force Gloucester back into their own half, producing a scrum which is penalised for Glaws flanker not binding. Barry gets an opportunity to kick at 61 min’s. Barry falls short with the kick.
At this point, the weather men finally started to earn their money and the heavens opened, echoes of “Singing in the rain” go round the ground, conditions are terrible. Gloucester once again find themselves inside the Irish 22 and drive forward. Mr. Maybank once again consults his touch judge and Naka and Vickery get pulled up for a slight set to, but nothing further comes of it.
At 66 min’s Irish make two changes, Tofty comes on for Nils Mordt in the centre and Chris Sheasby replaces Phil Murphy. Gloucester turn the ball over from LI and force it out wide on the Irish right flank. Michael Horak is forced to play the ball in the in goal giving Gloucester a scrum 5 metres out which is penalised by Mr Maybank for lack of proper binding by the Irish front row. Glaws take another scrum which is turned by the Irish pack.
Doug Wheatley is forced off with an injury at 74 min’s, replaced by Adam Halsley. Pressure increases on Irish as Glaws come forward once again with a cross field chip by McRae for Garvey to get underneath, he too chips forward with Sackey coming across to sweep up the ball and save another things again for Irish.
Bob Casey comes off after 76 min’s to be replaced by Nick Kennedy in the second row, the Glaws pack immediately test the new members of the pack with a rolling maul in the wet, slippery conditions which they drive forward, the ball comes out and is again chipped forward and once again Paul Sackey is there to save yet another try for Irish by touching down in-goal on their right hand side.
Irish get a penalty out on the left at 80 min’s, but Barry is unable to score with the kick falling short. The Glaws pack comes back to haunt the Irish again and force the ball forward. The ball comes out again down the Irish right flank, this time Horak gets in the way of Simpson-Daniel to halt the advance.
Simpson-Daniel gets Glaws final try in the last minute of the game down the undefended Irish right flank with some smooth passing out to the wing by the Gloucester backs. Henry Paul converts with the last action of the game leaving the final score 28 – 13.
Irish gave a gutsy performance in poor conditions at Kingsholm, but never really looked like they could win. Gloucester had the heavier pack, and it showed. Irish suffered for not having the strength to prevent Glaws consistently. Irish seemed to lack a certain spark across the field which was ever going to win them this game.
There are two games left in the Zurich Premiership for Irish; Newcastle away followed by Sarries at home. By rights this should give us another eight points. Let’s hope this is true. Irish are currently 7th in the Premiership after this weekends games with 44 points, with Sale and Newcastle close behind. If we are not very careful over the next few weeks, we could end this season mid table.
Thanks to Eileen for holding my AG during the game. Much appreciated.
Teams:
Gloucester:
15 R van der Berg
14 M Garvey
13 T Fanolua
12 H Paul
11 J Simpson-Daniel
10 D McRae
9 A Gomarsall
1 T Woodman
2 C Fortey
3 P Vickery
4 M Cornwell
5 A Brown
6 J Boer (captain)
7 A Hazell
8 J Paramore.
London Irish
15 Michael Horak
14 Paul Sackey
13 Geoff Appleford
12 Nils Mordt
11 Justin Bishop
10 Barry Everitt
9 Darren Edwards
1 Doug Wheatley
2 Adrian Flavin
3 Rob Hardwick
4 Ryan Strudwick (Captain)
5 Bob Casey
6 Declan Danaher
7 Kieron Dawson
8 Phil Murphy
Attendance: 11,000
There are few grounds in the Zurich Premiership where the supporters are as passionate and vociferous as Kingsholm Park, Gloucester. There is an atmosphere around the place that makes it a formidable venue for any visiting team. As a supporter on the terraces, it is a daunting, yet exciting experience. Heaven only knows what it must be like being a player running out right into the middle of it. Whatever the experience of playing at Kingsholm, only the strong can come through and win. Irish had a valiant attempt at being strong, but sheer power and determination won Gloucester the game and nothing can take that away from them.
Gloucester kicked off with the ball falling into Ryan Strudwick capable hands. A clearance by the Irish back line got charged down by Gloucester, but luckily fell for Irish to recapture. Barry Everitt then cleared for the kick only to fall at Gloucester feet. Gloucester punted the ball forward, courtesy of Henry Paul, for Garvey to chase which Horak cleaned up but he was forced into touch on the Irish five metre line. Glaws won the lineout comfortably and tried to push the Irish pack forward towards the line. The Irish pack disintegrated and the ball popped out for McRae to chip forward for Gloucester from five metres out, splitting the Irish defence, which Henry Paul gently glided onto unopposed for Glaws first try. Paul converted, 1 Min gone 7 – 0.
Barry took the restart towards the Glaws 22 which was punted back into the Irish half. Murphy was there to clean up the ball and take a quick line out which he then forged forward into the Gloucester line. Fortey went over the top of the ruck for Glaws allowing Everitt to kick into Glaws 22. The Lineout taken by LI was not straight and the scrum to Glaws allowed them to try to force their way through the Irish defence forcing an error. Glaws kicked well into the Irish half. Lineout ball is passed inside for Glaws to try the crash ball, and the ball is punted forward towards the Irish 5 metre line. The Irish lineout is turned over and passed out to Glaws left for Simpson-Daniel to push forwards. Sackey is there to halt the advance for Appleford to fumble forward. Glaws take the ball out of the scrum to setup McRae for a drop goal from outside the 22. 4 min, 10 – 0.
Irish restart gets punted back by Glaws for Murph to prevent going into touch. Murph drives forward again and the ball gets played out wide to Sackey on the Right. Sackey is forced into touch inside the Glaws 10 metre. Glaws win the lineout and clear for Horak to catch. Glaws get penalised for not staying on their feet in the ruck and Barry’s kick goes straight to Glaws and allows Gloucester to come back on the offensive. Strudders picks up the clearance but the ball is eventually turned over by Glaws, but Irish get a let off with Vickery providing a poor pass forcing a mistake by Van Der Bergh. Murphy takes the ball from the scrum allowing Edwards to drive the ball forward supported by the pack. Irish get pulled back during an advantage due to the Ref stopping play for Van Der Berg who was seemingly out cold on the deck. Barry takes the kick and gets the points. 13 min's, 10 – 3.
The restart from Glaws goes straight back to Barry who clears well inside the Glaws half. Glaws push back inside Irish territory where Horak attempts a clearance which goes little more then a few yards forward across field. Glaws continue to push forward, forcing Sackey to slip under pressure on 16 min’s, but the Exiles are lucky to get away and Barry clears to their own 10 metre. Glaws take the lineout and get their passing game underway and play the ball out wide to their right. The Glaws wingers have plenty of space after a missed pass, but Simpson-Daniel fumbles slightly allowing the Irish defence to come in and usher the ball into touch.
20 min’s in and Irish have a lineout inside the Glaws half driven well forward by Muprh. The ball gets punted forward for Glaws to reply back into the Irish half. Murph collects again and drives forward. The ball gets out to the right and Horak supports the forwards and picks the ball up just inside the Glaws half, glances past a tackle by Parramore for Glaws and heads for the line supported by Sackey. Fanolua drags Horak down close to the line, and the ref, Ray Maybank, feels he needs the assistance of the fourth official to make the decision. Try is given, Barry converts, 21 min’s 10 – 10.
Glaws take the restart right back into the heart of the Irish defence, Fanolua takes the ball forward and Irish are then faced with a left sided attack from Glaws of five players with no cover from the Irish defence. Were it not for a poor pass by Simpson-Daniel behind his support, it would almost certainly have been another Gloucester try. Irish reform and Big Bob Casey protects further Irish blushes allowing Barry to clear.
25 minutes in, and Irish are still defending their line from a keen Glaws attack. At times the Irish defence shows little sign of any structure, but survives some lengthy pressure by Glaws. Gloucester win a lineout 5 metres out and drive forward. The Irish defence is solid and denies the west country boys. Gloucester think they have finally found a way through but the ref awards Irish a scrum for Boer running into his own player.
32 minutes, Glaws are still applying strong pressure against an Irish defence. The ball is chipped through by Gomarsall on the left for Andy Hazel to chase, but the ball finds the corner before it can be touched down allowing Irish a scrum out on their 22.
Gloucester came back again on the attack just inside the Irish half, Barry Everitt was caught tackling high on his opposite number, McRae, and the ref awarded a penalty to Glaws just inside the Irish half. Paul attempts the long kick which falls short. 36 min’s 10 – 10.
With half time looming, Gloucester put some smooth passes together to get themselves again within a few minutes of the Irish line. An infringement by Irish provides another opportunity for Henry Paul to take another kick from the Glaws right, which he takes without error. 38 min’s 13 – 10.
Murphy takes the ball into the Gloucester half after the restart, forcing an error by Glaws on their own 10 metre line. The kick allows Barry to pull things level just before half time. Barry teases the travelling supporters behind the posts by skilfully getting the ball to hit the crossbar and fall just the other side. 40 min’s, 13 – 13.
Glaws come straight back into LI territory and punt a kick towards the corner. Michael Horak marshals the ball towards touch with Garvey chasing. The linesman gives the lineout to Gloucester in front of the shed after failing to notice Garvey nudge the ball into touch with his boot. This is a turning point in the game without any doubt. From the subsequent lineout, Gloucester form a rolling maul which eases past the crumbling Irish pack, allowing Chris Fortey to take the ball over the line for a try. Henry Paul converts.
There are some people who claim the shed win Gloucester some points in a season; I don’t understand why people say this myself. 43 min’s 18 – 13. Half Time.
Irish restart after the break and push into the Gloucester half. The Irish pack forces a Glaws maul backwards and the ball is sent deep into the exiles half. Sackey cleans up the ball forging forward, earning Irish a free kick which gets them back into Glaws territory.
After 45 minutes, Irish have a scrum inside the Gloucester half. The Glaws pack overwhelms the Irish scrum, with the Irish loosehead crumbling under Glaws pressure. Glaws win a lineout back inside the Irish half. Irish win back the ball with some sound defence, but loose the ball after the ref deems Sackey's attempted chip to be a knock on.
Glaws increase the pressure on LI after 49 minutes, eventually punting the ball forward again for Garvey to chase. Bishop cleans up for Irish on the try line with the assistance of a well timed presence by the captain, Ryan Strudwick, to carry the ball out of the Irish in-goal to save the day.
The ref consults his shed side touch judge out on the right after 53 minutes after an apparent infringement by Ryan Strudwick in the ruck. A penalty is awarded allowing Henry Paul to make the kick. 54 min’s 21 – 13.
Gloucester again come back strong from the restart forcing Irish to make mistakes in their own half. Wave after wave of Glaws attack comes in against the Irish defence, trying to find a way through. Irish muster their energy and force Gloucester back into their own half, producing a scrum which is penalised for Glaws flanker not binding. Barry gets an opportunity to kick at 61 min’s. Barry falls short with the kick.
At this point, the weather men finally started to earn their money and the heavens opened, echoes of “Singing in the rain” go round the ground, conditions are terrible. Gloucester once again find themselves inside the Irish 22 and drive forward. Mr. Maybank once again consults his touch judge and Naka and Vickery get pulled up for a slight set to, but nothing further comes of it.
At 66 min’s Irish make two changes, Tofty comes on for Nils Mordt in the centre and Chris Sheasby replaces Phil Murphy. Gloucester turn the ball over from LI and force it out wide on the Irish right flank. Michael Horak is forced to play the ball in the in goal giving Gloucester a scrum 5 metres out which is penalised by Mr Maybank for lack of proper binding by the Irish front row. Glaws take another scrum which is turned by the Irish pack.
Doug Wheatley is forced off with an injury at 74 min’s, replaced by Adam Halsley. Pressure increases on Irish as Glaws come forward once again with a cross field chip by McRae for Garvey to get underneath, he too chips forward with Sackey coming across to sweep up the ball and save another things again for Irish.
Bob Casey comes off after 76 min’s to be replaced by Nick Kennedy in the second row, the Glaws pack immediately test the new members of the pack with a rolling maul in the wet, slippery conditions which they drive forward, the ball comes out and is again chipped forward and once again Paul Sackey is there to save yet another try for Irish by touching down in-goal on their right hand side.
Irish get a penalty out on the left at 80 min’s, but Barry is unable to score with the kick falling short. The Glaws pack comes back to haunt the Irish again and force the ball forward. The ball comes out again down the Irish right flank, this time Horak gets in the way of Simpson-Daniel to halt the advance.
Simpson-Daniel gets Glaws final try in the last minute of the game down the undefended Irish right flank with some smooth passing out to the wing by the Gloucester backs. Henry Paul converts with the last action of the game leaving the final score 28 – 13.
Irish gave a gutsy performance in poor conditions at Kingsholm, but never really looked like they could win. Gloucester had the heavier pack, and it showed. Irish suffered for not having the strength to prevent Glaws consistently. Irish seemed to lack a certain spark across the field which was ever going to win them this game.
There are two games left in the Zurich Premiership for Irish; Newcastle away followed by Sarries at home. By rights this should give us another eight points. Let’s hope this is true. Irish are currently 7th in the Premiership after this weekends games with 44 points, with Sale and Newcastle close behind. If we are not very careful over the next few weeks, we could end this season mid table.
Thanks to Eileen for holding my AG during the game. Much appreciated.
Teams:
Gloucester:
15 R van der Berg
14 M Garvey
13 T Fanolua
12 H Paul
11 J Simpson-Daniel
10 D McRae
9 A Gomarsall
1 T Woodman
2 C Fortey
3 P Vickery
4 M Cornwell
5 A Brown
6 J Boer (captain)
7 A Hazell
8 J Paramore.
London Irish
15 Michael Horak
14 Paul Sackey
13 Geoff Appleford
12 Nils Mordt
11 Justin Bishop
10 Barry Everitt
9 Darren Edwards
1 Doug Wheatley
2 Adrian Flavin
3 Rob Hardwick
4 Ryan Strudwick (Captain)
5 Bob Casey
6 Declan Danaher
7 Kieron Dawson
8 Phil Murphy
Attendance: 11,000
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