The Ghosts of Seasons Past Laid to Rest
By Jim September 21 2009
Leeds Carnegie 7 London Irish 56
The 400+ mile round trip for many London Irish travelling supporters has not in recent times been a happy one: defeat followed defeat in key matches, and our previous visit was fraught with frustration.
Leeds Carnegie 7 London Irish 56
The 400+ mile round trip for many London Irish travelling supporters has not in recent times been a happy one: defeat followed defeat in key matches, and our previous visit was fraught with frustration.
On a splendid Yorkshire Sunday afternoon the memories of those drastic performances were well and truly buried in the magnificent turf of the Headingley pitch.
The travelling Exiles supporters had the pleasure of witnessing an almost perfect exhibition of how a together squad can and should play the game of Rugby Union. We were part of the 6047 people who witnessed this display. The work of Toby Booth, Mike Catt, Alan Ryan and all their colleagues gelled into London Irish delivering a comprehensive defeat to their peers representing Leeds Carnegie.
Dont let any person underestimate this achievement; Irish were playing a team of fellow professionals who are striving to enhance their reputation as being worthy of representation in the countrys premier rugby union tournament.
During the pre-start drills and warm-up the intensity of the Leeds players was very noticeable. The Irish squad was disciplined but obviously comfortable.
Irish showed their collective hand from the kick-off. For the first 16 minutes of the contest they were resident in Leeds half of the pitch - so much so that at one stage Peter Hewat was resident on the Leeds 22 with the remaining 14 scrummaging, rucking, mauling and spraying passes in all directions, to the chagrin and frustration of the Leeds players.
Twenty minutes into the contest, the difference in fitness levels was very obvious: the Leeds backs and pack were breathing heavily, whilst the Irish players looked and acted comfortably. An ominous sign for Leeds.
The scoring sequence was clinical and awesome and not one fluke amongst them:
This was a London Irish squad demonstrating meanness and determination to play right through to the final whistle. There was no taking the foot off of the gas, a weakness that has so often left players, management and supporters anguished in the past.
As with last week against Gloucester, the replacement strategy did not disrupt or interfere with the flow or level of consistency on the field. Something to be proud of.
It was hard to identify any weakness in any aspect of the Irish squad; this was an undoubted team effort - It was great to see Ryan Lamb in such form, from both a kicking and distribution perspective
There is one concern: this is a 15-man game. Fifteen men are needed on the field throughout and for the duration of any contest. Today we could afford the luxury of having 14 players on the field for sixty minutes, but this is not an option against more accomplished opposition. Requirements for on the field discipline must be addressed by the Management Team.
What of Leeds?
They have a lot of work to do but I believe they have the potential to stay in the top flight I hope they do for the sake of their excellent supporters, their club and for Rugby Union in Yorkshire. There is a lot of young talent there, supplemented by players of considerable experience. If they pull together and grind out results they can consolidate their status in this league.
On that note, one of their supporters brother leaves for Afghanistan on Tuesday I wish him and all his comrades a safe Tour of Duty.
I also wish the young receptionist from the Headingley Lodge a full and speedy recovery following serious injuries caused by a hit-and-run driver. Criminal.
Leeds Carnegie Squad -
Jon Goodridge; Welding (Lee Blackett 53), Luther Burrell, Henry Paul, Scott Armstrong; Ceiron Thomas, Andy Gomarsall (Mathie 60); Hardy, Vili Ma'asi, Juan Gomez (McGee 50), Erik Lund, Jon Pendlebury (capt), Kearnan Myall (D Paul 63), Hendre Fourie, Alfi To'oala (Phil Nilsen 68).
London Irish Squad -
Peter Hewat; Adam Thompstone, Elvis Seveali'i (Peter Richards 53), Seilala Mapusua (Chris Malone 69), Sailosi Tagicakibau; Ryan Lamb, Paul Hodgson; Chris Murphy (Clark Dermody 62), James Buckland (David Paice 53), Faan Rautenbach (Ion 49), Nick Kennedy, Bob Casey (capt) (Chris Perry 53), Declan Danaher, Steffon Armitage, Chris Hala'Ufia.
The travelling Exiles supporters had the pleasure of witnessing an almost perfect exhibition of how a together squad can and should play the game of Rugby Union. We were part of the 6047 people who witnessed this display. The work of Toby Booth, Mike Catt, Alan Ryan and all their colleagues gelled into London Irish delivering a comprehensive defeat to their peers representing Leeds Carnegie.
Dont let any person underestimate this achievement; Irish were playing a team of fellow professionals who are striving to enhance their reputation as being worthy of representation in the countrys premier rugby union tournament.
During the pre-start drills and warm-up the intensity of the Leeds players was very noticeable. The Irish squad was disciplined but obviously comfortable.
Irish showed their collective hand from the kick-off. For the first 16 minutes of the contest they were resident in Leeds half of the pitch - so much so that at one stage Peter Hewat was resident on the Leeds 22 with the remaining 14 scrummaging, rucking, mauling and spraying passes in all directions, to the chagrin and frustration of the Leeds players.
Twenty minutes into the contest, the difference in fitness levels was very obvious: the Leeds backs and pack were breathing heavily, whilst the Irish players looked and acted comfortably. An ominous sign for Leeds.
The scoring sequence was clinical and awesome and not one fluke amongst them:
- 6 minutes - Penalty try (converted by Ryan Lamb) 07
- 10 minutes Penalty (Ryan Lamb) 010
- 13 minutes Penalty (Ryan Lamb) 0-13
- 19 minutes Penalty (Ryan Lamb) 0-16
- 25 minutes Try (intercept - Kearan Myall) converted (Ceiron Thomas) 716
- 33 minutes Try (Chris Hala'ufia) converted (Ryan Lamb) 7-23
- 48 Minutes Try (Adam Thompstone) converted (Ryan Lamb) 730
- 52 minutes Try (Chris Hala'ufia) 7-35
- 58 Minutes Try (Adam Thompstone) converted (Ryan Lamb) 742
- 65 Minutes Try (Adam Thompstone) converted (Ryan Lamb) 749
- 75 Minutes - Try (Sailosi Tagicakibau) converted (Ryan Lamb) 756
This was a London Irish squad demonstrating meanness and determination to play right through to the final whistle. There was no taking the foot off of the gas, a weakness that has so often left players, management and supporters anguished in the past.
As with last week against Gloucester, the replacement strategy did not disrupt or interfere with the flow or level of consistency on the field. Something to be proud of.
It was hard to identify any weakness in any aspect of the Irish squad; this was an undoubted team effort - It was great to see Ryan Lamb in such form, from both a kicking and distribution perspective
- Adam Thompstone must be singled out for the manner in which he scored his hat-trick of tries
- The work rate and skill of Declan Danaher and Steffon Armitage was non-stop
- Paul Hodgson continues to put in blinding performances and leadership week after week. This was no exception. Just like a Jack Russell Terrier
- Sailosi Tagicakibau puts the fear of the Almighty into everyone each time he is in possession of the ball the Leeds lads learned why today
- The forwards collectively were imperious
There is one concern: this is a 15-man game. Fifteen men are needed on the field throughout and for the duration of any contest. Today we could afford the luxury of having 14 players on the field for sixty minutes, but this is not an option against more accomplished opposition. Requirements for on the field discipline must be addressed by the Management Team.
What of Leeds?
They have a lot of work to do but I believe they have the potential to stay in the top flight I hope they do for the sake of their excellent supporters, their club and for Rugby Union in Yorkshire. There is a lot of young talent there, supplemented by players of considerable experience. If they pull together and grind out results they can consolidate their status in this league.
On that note, one of their supporters brother leaves for Afghanistan on Tuesday I wish him and all his comrades a safe Tour of Duty.
I also wish the young receptionist from the Headingley Lodge a full and speedy recovery following serious injuries caused by a hit-and-run driver. Criminal.
Leeds Carnegie Squad -
Jon Goodridge; Welding (Lee Blackett 53), Luther Burrell, Henry Paul, Scott Armstrong; Ceiron Thomas, Andy Gomarsall (Mathie 60); Hardy, Vili Ma'asi, Juan Gomez (McGee 50), Erik Lund, Jon Pendlebury (capt), Kearnan Myall (D Paul 63), Hendre Fourie, Alfi To'oala (Phil Nilsen 68).
London Irish Squad -
Peter Hewat; Adam Thompstone, Elvis Seveali'i (Peter Richards 53), Seilala Mapusua (Chris Malone 69), Sailosi Tagicakibau; Ryan Lamb, Paul Hodgson; Chris Murphy (Clark Dermody 62), James Buckland (David Paice 53), Faan Rautenbach (Ion 49), Nick Kennedy, Bob Casey (capt) (Chris Perry 53), Declan Danaher, Steffon Armitage, Chris Hala'Ufia.
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Posted by: The Craic www.londonirish.org (IP Logged)
Date: 21/09/2009 20:15
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