LI Academy v Wasps (almost 1sts)
By MaggieH, Vicky80 November 9 2009
So after agreeing with MaggieH to write the match report for this game the day has finally arrived. We’re both not convinced that our knowledge of rugby is good enough for this, and we find the responsibility of writing the report surprisingly stressful.
So after agreeing with MaggieH to write the match report for this game the day has finally arrived. We’re both not convinced that our knowledge of rugby is good enough for this, and we find the responsibility of writing the report surprisingly stressful.
Looking back at our notes from the game there may have been too much hot chocolate and Baileys consumed, therefore we apologise now if anything is missed or the report is completely different to what actually happened!
MaggieH and I meet at the 3G’s both armed with notebooks and pens following advice from previous reporters. Pre match discussions included how great the fried bread in the 3G’s breakfast was, and how prepared we are for the game ahead – MaggieH with her flask of hot chocolate and Baileys and me with gin and tonic. We Tinkerbelles know how to do this rugby thing! We have some London Irish newcomers with us, so we try and find out what tournament we’re actually playing in. We discuss what exactly the LV = Cup is, how it works and what we get if we win (“A cup”). What sort of cup, no one seems to know. We then discuss what LV stood for. We thought Louis Vuitton – the boys dashed our dreams of free shoes and handbags by informing us it was Liverpool Victoria. Whatever that is. Drinks consumed it was time to head to the ground. Many thanks to Dean for squashing us all into his car.
We started off at the supporters’ club tent and met up with the usual suspects, thus missing the interview with Delon at 2pm. The band in the Craic (or Craig, as it’s fondly renamed) is doing a good job of being an Irish band and every one seems in a jolly mood. We then made our way to our seats by the drums to find Simon sat directly behind us and trumpeting loudly in our ears – cheers Simon! Thanks must go to whoever it was that gave their drum to Gareth who is joining us for his first London Irish game – he mentioned he didn’t like the phrase ‘virgin drummer’, so of course we have to include this in our report.
As its remembrance Sunday and a Help for Heroes game, the Royal Marines were in attendance and made a grand entrance by abseiling from the North Stand roof along with Digger. Post match rumours would have us believe that this was actually a Marine in Digger’s costume – I don’t believe this! A minute’s silence was then held to remember all those who have selflessly given their lives in conflict. We are also reminded of friends who have lost their lives, both match reporters losing dear friends all too suddenly recently.
It was then time for the game. Wasps were fielding a fairly strong, close to full strength team. London Irish has a side consisting of a large number of Academy players and it was good to be able to see how they are progressing. It was also good to see Alex back from injury and having a run out.
Wasps kicked off and London Irish soon found themselves trailing after a Wasps try 58 seconds into the game. The conversion was missed and the score was London Irish 0 Wasps 5.
Irish then followed this up 6 minutes later with a try by Peter Hewat. Hewat then converted his try making the score Irish 7 Wasps 5. At this point, Peter Richards seems in full control of the field, as always, and looks like a good reference point for the less experienced members of our team.
The notes then become very sketchy at this point, as focus moved to serving aforementioned hot chocolate. Penalties were awarded to both sides. Hewat missed, Walder didn’t and the score at 19 minutes was London Irish 7 Wasps 8.
The notes then descend into complete gibberish that even I can’t understand and I wrote them! They do however contain important information given by Classy that Wasps number 5 lost his shorts in the ruck! She was most concerned that as Tinkerbelles we had both missed this! Sorry girls will do better next time!
Irish are then awarded another penalty, I believe for holding on but this may well (almost definitely is!) be wrong. Hewat slots this one and the score is now Irish 10 Wasps 8.
Further play ensues and we both at the same time have the realisation that there is a worrying trend within the Wasps team for long baggy shorts, and we bemoan the tendency towards long shorts a la football fashion. At this point we are informed by the boys that they are not pieces of meat and have feelings too! Wasps are awarded another penalty and Walder again gets it making the score 10 – 11.
My notes now become non existent mainly due to various distractions like the discussion on the merits of a wine waiter along with the beer sellers. We also attempt to explain the laws of the game to the non rugby boys, but get a bit stumped on the question of ‘but why kick it all the way up the field if the other team then gets it.’ We haven’t covered this yet in Tinkerbelle training.
Another penalty awarded to Irish and again Hewat misses. This sparks a debate as to why Lennard or Malone aren’t kicking. However there appears to be no answer to this.
Wasps then secure the ball and after defeating the midfield defence a try is scored by Van Gisbergen. Walder converts and the score is Irish 10 Wasps 18. Half time and the score is 10 – 18.
At half time, our newcomers are very impressed with the fact that we can buy beer from mobile sellers, and that we can bring in picnics and flasks of quite alcoholic hot chocolate. We are spoiled at rugby matches, indeed. Quotes from the smoking area at half time include “It’s not warm” and the thought that Lirish is a good chant and could be the next Jedward! Thanks for all your help!
Second half kicks off and the clock is broken so no times available – sorry! London Irish secure the ball and Gower passes to Hewat who scores his second try. This is converted by Lennard to make the score Irish 17 Wasps 18. Play continues with the referee continuing to ping both sides. Wasps are awarded a penalty for offside. Again Walder kicks and the score is now 17 – 21. Irish are then awarded a penalty. The ref seems to have remembered his whistle but not his cards at this point as Wasps are spoken to yet again. Lennard gets the penalty and the score is now 20 -21.
My notes then read lots of unnecessary ping pong kicking and to me to you. So I am guessing that at this stage the usual aerial game ensued! Wasps awarded a further penalty which was missed. The drop goal attempt however wasn’t! Score now 20 – 24.
The Wasps no 4 sent off – can’t remember why!
Irish make a number of changes and keep the pressure on. We look like scoring a try but some cynical play by Wasps causes a knock on and the ref pulls play back. Yellow card shown to Wasps again for obstruction but there is much debate in the stands as to why a penalty try wasn’t given.
The game ends 20 – 24 to Wasps. Although we lost the game there were some positives. Some of the Academy boys are shaping up well, having Alex back is great and he seemed to dominate at the scrum. However our lack of experienced winger showed and we are really missing Delon and Tagi. All in all not a bad game considering we played a young inexperienced side.
We clap the team as they come to wave at the East Stand, and make our way back down to the Craic and hotel bar to meet up with all our London Irish friends.
This match report is written in memory of Pip Upright and Dave McKay, two very special people who are no longer with us. May you rest in peace, we will never forget you.
MaggieH and I meet at the 3G’s both armed with notebooks and pens following advice from previous reporters. Pre match discussions included how great the fried bread in the 3G’s breakfast was, and how prepared we are for the game ahead – MaggieH with her flask of hot chocolate and Baileys and me with gin and tonic. We Tinkerbelles know how to do this rugby thing! We have some London Irish newcomers with us, so we try and find out what tournament we’re actually playing in. We discuss what exactly the LV = Cup is, how it works and what we get if we win (“A cup”). What sort of cup, no one seems to know. We then discuss what LV stood for. We thought Louis Vuitton – the boys dashed our dreams of free shoes and handbags by informing us it was Liverpool Victoria. Whatever that is. Drinks consumed it was time to head to the ground. Many thanks to Dean for squashing us all into his car.
We started off at the supporters’ club tent and met up with the usual suspects, thus missing the interview with Delon at 2pm. The band in the Craic (or Craig, as it’s fondly renamed) is doing a good job of being an Irish band and every one seems in a jolly mood. We then made our way to our seats by the drums to find Simon sat directly behind us and trumpeting loudly in our ears – cheers Simon! Thanks must go to whoever it was that gave their drum to Gareth who is joining us for his first London Irish game – he mentioned he didn’t like the phrase ‘virgin drummer’, so of course we have to include this in our report.
As its remembrance Sunday and a Help for Heroes game, the Royal Marines were in attendance and made a grand entrance by abseiling from the North Stand roof along with Digger. Post match rumours would have us believe that this was actually a Marine in Digger’s costume – I don’t believe this! A minute’s silence was then held to remember all those who have selflessly given their lives in conflict. We are also reminded of friends who have lost their lives, both match reporters losing dear friends all too suddenly recently.
It was then time for the game. Wasps were fielding a fairly strong, close to full strength team. London Irish has a side consisting of a large number of Academy players and it was good to be able to see how they are progressing. It was also good to see Alex back from injury and having a run out.
Wasps kicked off and London Irish soon found themselves trailing after a Wasps try 58 seconds into the game. The conversion was missed and the score was London Irish 0 Wasps 5.
Irish then followed this up 6 minutes later with a try by Peter Hewat. Hewat then converted his try making the score Irish 7 Wasps 5. At this point, Peter Richards seems in full control of the field, as always, and looks like a good reference point for the less experienced members of our team.
The notes then become very sketchy at this point, as focus moved to serving aforementioned hot chocolate. Penalties were awarded to both sides. Hewat missed, Walder didn’t and the score at 19 minutes was London Irish 7 Wasps 8.
The notes then descend into complete gibberish that even I can’t understand and I wrote them! They do however contain important information given by Classy that Wasps number 5 lost his shorts in the ruck! She was most concerned that as Tinkerbelles we had both missed this! Sorry girls will do better next time!
Irish are then awarded another penalty, I believe for holding on but this may well (almost definitely is!) be wrong. Hewat slots this one and the score is now Irish 10 Wasps 8.
Further play ensues and we both at the same time have the realisation that there is a worrying trend within the Wasps team for long baggy shorts, and we bemoan the tendency towards long shorts a la football fashion. At this point we are informed by the boys that they are not pieces of meat and have feelings too! Wasps are awarded another penalty and Walder again gets it making the score 10 – 11.
My notes now become non existent mainly due to various distractions like the discussion on the merits of a wine waiter along with the beer sellers. We also attempt to explain the laws of the game to the non rugby boys, but get a bit stumped on the question of ‘but why kick it all the way up the field if the other team then gets it.’ We haven’t covered this yet in Tinkerbelle training.
Another penalty awarded to Irish and again Hewat misses. This sparks a debate as to why Lennard or Malone aren’t kicking. However there appears to be no answer to this.
Wasps then secure the ball and after defeating the midfield defence a try is scored by Van Gisbergen. Walder converts and the score is Irish 10 Wasps 18. Half time and the score is 10 – 18.
At half time, our newcomers are very impressed with the fact that we can buy beer from mobile sellers, and that we can bring in picnics and flasks of quite alcoholic hot chocolate. We are spoiled at rugby matches, indeed. Quotes from the smoking area at half time include “It’s not warm” and the thought that Lirish is a good chant and could be the next Jedward! Thanks for all your help!
Second half kicks off and the clock is broken so no times available – sorry! London Irish secure the ball and Gower passes to Hewat who scores his second try. This is converted by Lennard to make the score Irish 17 Wasps 18. Play continues with the referee continuing to ping both sides. Wasps are awarded a penalty for offside. Again Walder kicks and the score is now 17 – 21. Irish are then awarded a penalty. The ref seems to have remembered his whistle but not his cards at this point as Wasps are spoken to yet again. Lennard gets the penalty and the score is now 20 -21.
My notes then read lots of unnecessary ping pong kicking and to me to you. So I am guessing that at this stage the usual aerial game ensued! Wasps awarded a further penalty which was missed. The drop goal attempt however wasn’t! Score now 20 – 24.
The Wasps no 4 sent off – can’t remember why!
Irish make a number of changes and keep the pressure on. We look like scoring a try but some cynical play by Wasps causes a knock on and the ref pulls play back. Yellow card shown to Wasps again for obstruction but there is much debate in the stands as to why a penalty try wasn’t given.
The game ends 20 – 24 to Wasps. Although we lost the game there were some positives. Some of the Academy boys are shaping up well, having Alex back is great and he seemed to dominate at the scrum. However our lack of experienced winger showed and we are really missing Delon and Tagi. All in all not a bad game considering we played a young inexperienced side.
We clap the team as they come to wave at the East Stand, and make our way back down to the Craic and hotel bar to meet up with all our London Irish friends.
This match report is written in memory of Pip Upright and Dave McKay, two very special people who are no longer with us. May you rest in peace, we will never forget you.
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StumbleuponLI Academy v Wasps (almost 1sts)
Posted by: The Craic www.londonirish.org (IP Logged)
Date: 09/11/2009 21:11
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Re: LI Academy v Wasps (almost 1sts)
Posted by: lawnmower (IP Logged)
Date: 09/11/2009 22:20
Well done Ladies, and, surprisingly from Vicky's comments to me just before the match, no mention of players' biceps, buttocks or thighs!
Colin
("Me? I'm just a lawnmower, you can tell me by the way I walk!")
Colin
("Me? I'm just a lawnmower, you can tell me by the way I walk!")
Re: LI Academy v Wasps (almost 1sts)
Posted by: MadMonk (IP Logged)
Date: 09/11/2009 22:23
Good report, you are being too modest!
No 4 who went off was Shaw - professional foul but did not see what he did, maybe someone in the West stand can enlighten us Eastie Beasties
No 4 who went off was Shaw - professional foul but did not see what he did, maybe someone in the West stand can enlighten us Eastie Beasties
Re: LI Academy v Wasps (almost 1sts)
Posted by: antoinog (IP Logged)
Date: 09/11/2009 22:26
Excellent write up ladies.
I too wondered if that was really Digger or one of his fellow canines in disguise.
As for the Wasp No 5, I'm somewhat embarrassed to say that one of my pictures linked to at the "bottom" (haha) of the match report - DSC02987 - is evidence of this. Entire accidental snap and nothing to do whatsoever with me getting into character for my work panto when I will be the dame! I of course look forward to the big "opening" even if its not all that its "cracked" up to be. Oh dear, really scraping the "bottom" of this barrel.
Back to business - great report ladies.
I too wondered if that was really Digger or one of his fellow canines in disguise.
As for the Wasp No 5, I'm somewhat embarrassed to say that one of my pictures linked to at the "bottom" (haha) of the match report - DSC02987 - is evidence of this. Entire accidental snap and nothing to do whatsoever with me getting into character for my work panto when I will be the dame! I of course look forward to the big "opening" even if its not all that its "cracked" up to be. Oh dear, really scraping the "bottom" of this barrel.
Back to business - great report ladies.
Re: LI Academy v Wasps (almost 1sts)
Posted by: Props are not stupid (IP Logged)
Date: 09/11/2009 22:54
Well done, you two.
Re: LI Academy v Wasps (almost 1sts)
Posted by: Cider in Rosie (IP Logged)
Date: 10/11/2009 09:31
Well done.
Re: LI Academy v Wasps (almost 1sts)
Posted by: persins (IP Logged)
Date: 10/11/2009 10:30
Well done Girls! Much more rugby involved than I thought there would be!!
Shaw binned for deliberately killing the ball in the "Red zone" off the back of a ruck.
Shaw binned for deliberately killing the ball in the "Red zone" off the back of a ruck.
Re: LI Academy v Wasps (almost 1sts)
Posted by: cailín úr (IP Logged)
Date: 10/11/2009 11:04
Excellent report ladies. Particularly liked the idea of a Louis Vuitton Cup
.
.Re: LI Academy v Wasps (almost 1sts)
Posted by: AMS (IP Logged)
Date: 10/11/2009 11:18
Ah, but there IS a Louis Vuitton Cup - it's contested to find the challenger for the Americas Cup.
Re: LI Academy v Wasps (almost 1sts)
Posted by: Foggy-Balla (IP Logged)
Date: 10/11/2009 11:43
Didn't George & yer man from Glaaars win the Louis Vuitton cup for their bout of handbags?
Faugh-a-Ballagh!
"Our prayer is 'God save Ireland' and pour blessings on her name!"
Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum
Faugh-a-Ballagh!
"Our prayer is 'God save Ireland' and pour blessings on her name!"
Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum
Re: LI Academy v Wasps (almost 1sts)
Posted by: AMS (IP Logged)
Date: 10/11/2009 11:52
No, Foggy - don't you remember Tana Umaga's hitting Chris Masoe with a handbag?
The woman to whom it belonged sold it on TradeMe (NZ equivalent of eBay) for $NZ 22,000 or something equally stupid.
The woman to whom it belonged sold it on TradeMe (NZ equivalent of eBay) for $NZ 22,000 or something equally stupid.
Re: LI Academy v Wasps (almost 1sts)
Posted by: waltham (IP Logged)
Date: 10/11/2009 16:20
Nice one ladies!
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