By Richie the Rhino (08/09/02)
September 8 2002

The Tykes showed that last week’s excellent victory against Leicester Tigers was no fluke, by posting a comprehensive victory over title dark horses London Irish.

Braam Van Straaten will get the headlines for an immaculate 11 from 11 kick record (9 penalties and 2 conversions), which equals the ZP record. But it was another outstanding team effort that ultimately won the day.

The game started in a scrappy fashion, with Irish looking determined to make up for last weeks defeat to Bath, playing their typically fast game. Exiles kicker Barry Everett and BVS traded early penalties, before BVS put over a monster kick from 55 yards out (that's 5 yards inside his own half) and the tone was set.

Tykes scored the first try, and what a beauty it was. The forwards mauled the ball from the Tykes 22 up field, and moved it forwards through a few phases up the touchline. The ball was then passed out to Diego Albanese, who showed a startling turn of pace to breach the Irish defence. The ball was passed onto Scabs and finally to Dan Hyde, who crashed over the line for an excellent score. BVS slotted the conversion, and the Tykes were well set.

But the Exiles came back straight away - poor midfield tacking allowed impressive Irish fullback Horak to break the gain line on a crash move. He then skipped around Scabs and touched down under the posts. Everett converted - game on!

But the Tykes responded in typically dynamic fashion. The Exiles gave away a steady stream of penalties, in what was to become the dominant pattern of the game, and each time, BVS slotted the conversion. Half time score Tykes 19 Exiles 13.

The Irish registered the first score of the second half, another Everett penalty, and the game went into a closely fought, tense, section. But the Tykes stuck to the game plan manfully, and Irish continually infringed around the breakdown area. Each time, BVS slotted the kick. The game suffered as a spectacle, as the Exiles gave away penalty after penalty, with the referee seemingly disinterested in putting a stop to it by sin binning the culprits. The Tykes, however, did not complain, simply handed the ball to BVS, and the points kept coming. The Exiles never really got their fast recycling game going, and gave up the ball too easily, or missed passes to frequently, to put too much pressure on the Tykes.

The continual stream of Irish penalties was forced by some outstanding work from the forwards. The Tykes lineout was good all day, and the boys also showed that we possess an excellent rolling maul. Palmer, Mather, Hyde and the unsung Chris Murphy all had awesome games.

As the Tykes built up a match winning lead, Gordon Ross was outstanding. His tactical kicking was superb throughout the game, time and time again sending the opponents 50-60 yards back down field, as London Irish chased the game. Ross deservedly scored the Tykes second try, once again set up by an electric surge of pace from Albanese, who fed onto Ross to touch down under the posts (in a rather cheeky fashion, by passing the ball though his legs backwards).

Scabs again showed glimpses of what he is capable of, and George Harder put in some excellent defensive work. Alan Dickens gave Ross pinpoint service all game. Zac also continued his good from, making big yardage on several occasions. But ultimately, it was another brilliant team performance that won the day. The game may not have won over the rugby purist, but it was mighty impressive stuff from a Tykes side bristling with confidence.

So, another superb victory for the Tykes, and proof that Headingley is fast becoming a fortress. Next game up is away at Quins, the first road trip for the new look Tykes. We should go to the Stoop full of confidence, knowing that the two early season wins were no flukes. This is a vastly improved Tykes side, and on the form they have shown to date, the Tykes are a side that no team will relish facing.