By Andycap on 6/10/2003
October 6 2003

When I volunteered to write the review of the London Irish game I didn't realize how easy it would be. For those of a nervous disposition or any children reading this turn over now.

The Tykes could be summed up in three short words:

"WE WERE ****!!!" I leave the last word to your imagination. To say we were inept would be an understatement, London Irish were a poor side made to look good by an even poorer side.

Having conceded a simple penalty in the first 2 minutes the Tykes proceeded to go through the catalogue of errors required to lose a game. Poor handling, tackling and generally no real menace laid the Tykes open to what should have been a massacre. Fortunately for the Tykes, Irish had been reading the same book but hadn't finished it.

From what seemed a simple break out Scarborough (Don't believe the press) missed a straightforward tackle which allowed Kieron Dawson to stroll in between the posts. However, Irish failed to punish Leeds further and 2 penalties just before halftime gave the Tykes a respectable if somewhat dubious scoreline of 16 - 6.

Thinking that the Tykes players might have realized that they were in a competitive game the 2nd half began in earnest, Matt Cardey was replaced at fullback by Tim Walsh after 5 minutes but it took a break by Ryan Walker who fed David Rees for the Tykes to advance to the Irish line, even then Rees tackled himself twice before feeding Duncan Hodge who scored between the posts and converted his own try.

The Tykes then began to play like they did in the 1st half, quite simply they made more handling errors in this game than the whole of last season put together. Paul Sackey went through the defence as if it wasn't there and in injury time Mark Mapletoft, who tormented the Tykes all through the game rounded off a good display with a try which he converted.

Final Score London Irish 31 Tykes 16

Conclusion

I find it hard to get any positives from this game, The Forwards were ordinary as were the backs. Not one Tykes player stood out and as for the fans who travelled down to Reading they must have wondered if it was worth bothering. The only compensation was the "CRAIC" afterwards and if another Irish fan tells me we played well I'll be asking Guinness to look at what they're brewing!

---