Reassuringly, since last year, Dusty Hare and Les Cusworth seem to have lost most of their hair, due to the rigours of nature rather than the barbers in the front row.

Tigers fans had watched the stately procession of their team through the rounds of the cup competition beating Orrell at home 16 – 7, Moseley (last years beaten finalists) away 17 – 7, London Scottish 22 – 0 at Welford Rd, then Harlequins 16 – 9 away in the semi-final.

London Irish, making their first, and until this season, only appearance in the final had struggled more, with, on paper, easy matches against Maidstone (29 – 9) and Morley (15 – 9) being followed by a close quarter final against Bath (6 – 3) and a dramatic “victory” as the away team in the semi-final against Rosslyn Park (6 – 6).

The Tigers support was already becoming legendary in club rugby, and the Irish had come over in boatloads, making this a final with real atmosphere. The Hiss and Boo Band played and the banners swirled, as one claimed “Tigers eat Leprechauns”. The Tigers started as warm favourites as the holders and on form, although it had been a long time since the two teams had met, so no direct form line existed.

The Tigers kicked off into the wind on an otherwise perfect day for rugby. The first scrum was called with the Irish put in just inside their own 22, immediately the pattern of the match established itself, the Irish team trying to move any ball they could get, whilst spoiling around the fringes against a better organised Tigers pack.

A penalty was awarded to the Tigers for lying over the ball on halfway, and then a further penalty as Tigers ran the ball, when the Irish defenders killed the ball in front of their own posts. Dusty Hare stepped up, and hit the post from the resulting penalty, much to the Tigers fan’s shock. Irish were forced to concede the 10 meter scrum as the ball was forced back over their line.

A period of frantic Irish defence followed as the Irish managed to make the last ditch tackle, or force the turnover, but just couldn’t get enough control to get out of their 22. Staggeringly, Dusty Hare managed to miss another two regulation three pointers during the period, and you began to wonder whether it was going to be one of those days.

Then, from a line out on the Irish line a poor pass was swung out to Cusworth, who, off balance, dropped the ball through the uprights to open the scoring. 3 – 0 to Leicester with 15 minutes gone and the opposition having hardly set foot out of their half. The pattern resumed, with London Irish conceding penalty after penalty in desperate defence. Dusty Hare again stepped up 40 meters out and in front of the posts and finally got his range. 6 – 0 after 25 minutes. Another phase of play, another kickable penalty from the offside and the score moved to 9 – 0 after half an hour.

After a break by Barnwell, which was well tackled, and the winger was then penalised for holding. Irish kicked forward and Hare fumbled the ball to yield a scrum just outside the Tigers 22. The Tigers pack got a push on and moved the Irish backwards. The ball skewed out to the scrum half, who reversed the ball away and found an overlap. The ball went through hands and Mick Smythe touched down in the corner against the run of play. The try was converted by Meanwell. 9 – 6 after 38 minutes.

The Tigers showed a degree of composure as the inspired Irish took the restart and attacked again. The forwards won the ball and Les Cusworth put in a monster clearance deep into the Irish half. The Irish jumped across in the ensuing line out and Dusty Hare calmly slotted the penalty to take a 12 – 6 lead into half time.

London Irish kicked off the second half into a fresh breeze. The Tiger’s forwards gained possession and began to work the ball down the line. London Irish won scrappy line out ball inside their own 22, and the clearance was prevented from reaching touch by Clive Woodward on the Irish 10 meter line. He passed quickly to Hare inside who launched an enormous drop goal straight between the posts. 15 – 6 to Tigers, 2 minutes into the second half.

Almost immediately the Tigers marched back towards the Irish line, again forcing the penalty for offside, and Dusty Hare obliged to give the Tigers an 18 – 6 lead. The Tigers were well on top and revelling in the interplay between the forwards and the backs. London Irish continued to defend desperately, but still looked dangerous on the scraps of possession they were allowed.

In one such instance the ball came out to Cusworth who ran across the back line, dummying to Dodge, then Woodward before releasing to Hare on the burst. Unfortunately Hare couldn’t hold the ball and the Irish broke away, eventually being foiled by a Cusworth tackle, the fly half then holding onto the ball to prevent the try.

The penalty was missed by Meanwell. This, however, seemed to inspire the Irish who put together their best period of the match. Another penalty was taken by Meanwell following a Tigers forward straying offside and this time wasn’t wasted. 18 – 9 after 59 minutes.

Were the Tigers sitting back on the lead too soon? A great scrum half break by the Irish was only stopped when the chip ahead hit Hare’s foot and was tidied up by Gary Adey, the Tigers continued to be pressed.

Eventually the little magician, Les Cusworth, was given clean ball by his forwards on his own 22. The half break was made and the ball fed on to Dodge, then Woodward, then out to Burwell on the wing. The race was on and Burwell just lacked the pace to go all the way as he was caught and robbed going into the Irish 22.

The resulting scrum to London Irish was taken against the head by Peter Wheeler, the ball moved quickly to Cusworth who snapped the drop goal. 79 minutes on the clock and the match was as good as over, as London Irish tried for the consolation try, but never troubled the solid Tigers defence.

After the game both Robin Cowling and Tim Barnwell, who had now won the cup three times (Cowling in 1972 with Gloucester, Barnwell in 1974 with Coventry, both with Tigers in 1979 and 1980) laid claim to keep the cup, but the organisers weren’t keen.

H. V. “Chalkie” White, Master Coach said “Coaching is superficial; it’s the attitude of the players that counts.”


19th April 1980
Tigers 21 – London Irish 9
Cusworth 2 drop goals, Hare drop goal, 4 penalties.

O Dusty Hare
N Tim Barnwell
M Clive Woodward
L Paul Dodge
K Terry Burwell
J Les Cusworth
I Steve Kenney
A Robin Cowling
B Peter Wheeler (Capt)
C Steve Redfern
D Nick Joyce
E Nick Gillingham
F Steve Johnson
G Gary Adey
H Ian (Dosser) Smith

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