London Irish
Scrum Dancing
By PANS
February 23 2015
Having been released early from my contract as a match reporter at the Craic Messageboard by mutual consent due to family reasons, I am writing this match report from the comfort of my sofa. Just before kick-off I notice Griff looking to his left asking: where is bloody PANS? He is supposed to do the match report today. Well, I am here, typing this match report on my laptop while I am watching the game and I am also looking after a hyper-active toddler. Yes, I can multitask sometimes.
I have predicted a losing bonus point to Irish. Tigers are missing a few internationals, but the depth of the Tigers squad should still make them favourites.
London Irish get the ball from the kick off, build a few phases until they lose the ball. Tigers send them back to restart the game from a line out back in their own 22.
First scrum of the game and Irish have the put in. After three resets it is penalty to Tigers. Freddy Burns defies the bad weather conditions to put his team ahead 0-3 after 5 minutes.
Two minutes later, scrum number 2 and penalty number 2 in exactly the same circumstances, but this time Burns missed the kick. Again, 2 minutes later, third scrum of the game. Third time lucky and we finally see a completed scrum. Irish need to employ themselves well in defence as Tigers enjoy a few phases on our own 22, and in the 12th minute of the game Freddy Burns slots a drop goal. 0-6 after 12 minutes.
Weather conditions are not great for running rugby and both teams kick for territorial advantage, with Tigers having the better of the contest. It is greasy and windy, one of those days that forwards know it is going to be a busy game and backs wish they were wearing long sleeves. Yet another scrum and yet another penalty that Freddy Burns ends up getting another 3 points from the sub sequential penalty.
Topsy needs to be replaced on the 23rd minute due to injury. Another penalty to Tigers from another scrum, very worrying considering that we have which should be our strongest front 5. The Tigers front row manage to get our front row popping up in every single scrum.
On the 27th minute we get the first kickable penalty as Tigers drive early from a line out. Shane doesn’t miss and it is 3-9 after 28 minutes. This seems to lift the team up and Irish are on the front foot. Irish have 13 phases on Tigers half, but lose the ball in the tackle as soon as they get into Tigers 22. The drummers appreciate the efforts by the men in green and cheer the team on.
It is now 5 penalties from 9 scrums, and Cross sees a yellow card on the 35th minute. Still 45 minutes to go and only 6 points down, but it is hard to believe we can win this game the way it is going. Halavatu is in for front row cover and Griffin, who came in for Topsy, is the man sacrificed. Funnily enough, we get a free kick from the next scrum as Ayarza pushes in early.
Next scrum is another penalty for Tigers, this time from the half way line, which proves a yard or two too far for Freddy Burns, whose penalty attempt just falls short. This is the last play of a first half in which the difference between the two teams has been the strong men at the front row of the scrum. Even if we manage to put this right on the second half, referee Wayne Barnes may already have a perception that the Tigers scrum is the strongest one, and in case of doubt, they will be awarded the penalty.
Tigers kick off on the second half. Mele is in for Burns, who missed two kicks in the first half. After 5 minutes, Griffin comes back in, with Halavatu staying on the pitch. No scrums so far in this second half, but we have managed to waste two of our own line outs.
A few pick and drives on the opposition 22 are the closest chance we have had so far of scoring, but with the try line being a couple of inches away, the ball is handled by Paice while on the ground. In these first 10 minutes of the second half Tigers have conceded three penalties at the breakdown. The first kickable penalty sees Shane getting us to 6 points on the 52nd minute, 6-9. We are failing on the set pieces, but in open play Irish are at least matching Tigers’ efforts with good disciplined defence.
On the 58th penalty Tigers are awarded a penalty that neither the TV commentators not me could understand, but which doubled Tigers lead to 6-12. Allison is on for Steele, who has had a very decent game so far.
Two scrums in succession see a more dominant Irish pack. Unfortunately Mr Barns’ perception of Tigers having the advantage in the scrum sees a scrum being reset three times until eventually Irish run away with the ball. Mulipola gets a deserved break and he is subbed.
As Tigers keep going forward with a number of pick and drives into the Irish 22, a very patient and disciplined Irish defence manages to resist until it is Tigers who concede the penalty. We are 6-12 down with 12 minutes to go and for the first time I think we are more than capable of winning this game. The forwards manage 21 phases on the Tigers 22, and for the second time in the game, they just fell short of the try line before conceding a penalty.
An attacking scrum to Irish 10 meters away from the Tigers try line, with completely different Tigers front row, see Tigers cruise through. Paice and Cross have played the whole game and I bet it will be painful tomorrow. It was a nail-biting last 5 minutes, but it just wasn’t in the cards for us today and the full time score is 6-12 to Tigers. Ayarza is named man of the match by the TV pundits and from my point of view our man of the match was skipper Skivington.
A very well fought game by Irish, who in principle had nothing to play for. Also well done to all those true supporters who went to the Madstad today having to suffer the cold and rain, but a fairly decent tryless game. Over and out from the comfort of my sofa.
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Stumbleupon23/02/2015 13:44
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Fine report, many thanks.
Quote:Props Are Not Stupid
Also well done to all those true supporters who went to the Madstad today having to suffer the cold and rain, but a fairly decent tryless game.
I watched the 2nd half from the Jazz Café It was that cold, does that count as being a True Support? I was at least there!
