Kills Wasps...
Should have taken the Raid with me.
Kills Wasps...
By Mrs Goz September 27 2004
After a happy hour or so mingling with fellow supporters and having our photo’s taken with Will Green, Josh Lewsey and some cuppage we made our way to the Jewson stand where the drums went high and the flag went low with wigs a-plenty in between to create a visual stimulant for the Irish boys.
Kills Wasps...
After a happy hour or so mingling with fellow supporters and having our photo’s taken with Will Green, Josh Lewsey and some cuppage we made our way to the Jewson stand where the drums went high and the flag went low with wigs a-plenty in between to create a visual stimulant for the Irish boys.
Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, a masterclass!
Following Irish onto the pitch, Wasps came out to The Ride of the Valkyries although someone nearby thought it was The Flight of the Bumblebee – which made me laugh!
From the start Irish looked really quite sharp. We secured ball, made ground, stole ball in the line-outs and when defending, prevented the Pests from making any real gains. Barry’s distance kicking was so good that one ball he hoofed up the field stopped just east of Taunton. Back in our half and this time the boot of Everitt forced the ball to touch just about on the Wasps 22. A period of sustained Irish pressure saw us camped on their line. Wasps won their line-out and cleared to touch for an Irish throw in. We secured the ball and progressed right across the pitch where Scotty received a peach of a pass from Barry and touched the ball down beautifully. Barry converted and it’s 0-7.
Wasps gained the ball from the restart but Mr Pearson noticed they were holding on so awarded a penalty which the boot of Everitt shot into touch on the Wasps 22. We had possession when the Pests conceded another penalty and Barry duly obliged with another glorious 3 points. Fifteen minutes on the clock and it says 0-10. We likey!
At this point, JoeV was heard to utter “They may be Wasps but these are only their B’s” causing a moment of hilarity amongst the Irish supporters. Strangely the Wasps support didn’t find it at all amusing.
The restart saw Awesome catch and pass to Barry who sent the ball soaring into touch just inside the Wasps half. Irish stole the ball at the line-out but were penalised for something invisible to us (because of our position, not because we didn’t deserve it!). Alex King decided that anything Barry can do he can do too and slotted over a peach of a kick, the scoreboard says 3-10 and we’re a quarter of the way in.
Wasps knocked the ball forward and Irish were awarded a scrum. Awesome cleared the ball to just about the Wasps 5m line. Again we stole the ball at the line-out but failed to gain any ground before a try-stopping knock-on saw us lose the ball. Wasps, not a team to look a gift-horse in the mouth careered towards our line where, after what seemed like an eternity, the Irish defence kicked in – and it was awesome, although not without casualties. Hardwick, Bishop and Matt Dawson all went down and received attention. Sadly, Hardwick had to leave the field with a heel injury, Bishop limped back to the field of play and Dawson (who looked to have been winded) also made a return.
Wasps were awarded another penalty and Alex King duly did the necessary. 28 minutes on the clock and the score was 6-10.
Wasps won the ball from the restart but an attempt to find touch was unlucky. Hodgeson rescued the ball and in a mirror image of the previous play also failed to find touch. Again Wasps careered down the pitch but the Irish defence kicked in again and sent the ball safely off into the stands, this last bit happened twice. It was a bit like groundhog day!
Irish gained possession but Big Bob was sent to contemplate his behaviour after unnecessary use of the elbow. Again Alex King kicked the 3 points to make the score 9-10.
Again Irish were penalised but Wasps line-out was poor and Mr Pearson awarded us a scrum. Barry again shot the ball right off the end of the pitch (possibly needs to turn down the power on his boots) and Wasps got a scrum. Although Irish stole the ball and set off at a significant pace, Scott knocked-on and we lost possession.
Bishop’s knee hadn’t recovered from the earlier knock so he left the field to be replaced by Mike Horak.
Wasps spilt the ball for Irish to be awarded a scrum. While Irish had advantage Barry attempted a drop goal which he missed but we were awarded a penalty and the boot of Everitt struck sweetly to make the score 9-13.
The clock says 41 minutes when Mr Pearson made a mistake and penalised My Catt for going in on the ground. We were directly behind him and could clearly see he was standing on his feet at the time. His miming of the situation was quite amusing though, looked like he was singing ‘Head, shoulders, knees and toes’ to the ref! Alex King, not one to miss an opportunity if he can help it, slotted the ball through the uprights for a half time score of 12-13.
The second half started in much the same vein as the first. Irish moved well around the pitch, continued to win ball from Wasps line-outs, stole ball effectively on several occasions and really looked quite tight.
Barry slotted two more penalties in quick succession, the second penalty resulting in their number 4 being sent to contemplate his behaviour on the bench for 10 minutes, which made the score 12-19.
The relief was short-lived however as 1 minute later (as I was just sending a text message saying how well it was going) Barry’s clearance attempt was charged down by O’Connor who provided Wasps first try of the afternoon. Alex King failed to convert.
There followed a period where we would win the ball, thunder one way then the other across the Wasps line and then lose the ball. Wasps having got the ball back, headed for our line where it all looked a bit fraught and tense. Alex King took the opportunity of a drop goal to make the score 20-19.
The announcer said that Roche was being replaced by Murphy but it looked to us like Declan came on. At the same time, Tofty replaced Barry. Fifty seven minutes gone.
Wasps managed to build up a head of steam culminating in Voyce touching down although again the conversion was missed. As Dalaglio made his way on to the pitch the score was 25-19 and sixty minutes on the clock.
From an Irish handling error, the Pests were awarded a penalty and King slotted the ball over for 3 more points. At that point I felt the cold ball of dread making an unwelcome return to my belly.
Wasps won a line-out only to spill the ball (thanks Matt) and we received the penalty which was kicked to touch and led to another period of Irish attack. However, all good things must come to an end and Mr Pearson penalised us for crossing (our arms/fingers/legs?). Yet again Irish won the Wasps throw-in and this time, as variety is the spice of life, took it backwards. Tofty put an end to that by sending the ball cannoning down the field and off into touch. Wasps conceded a penalty which Tofty missed by a country mile – although the pitch-side water cannon may have been slightly distracting. Mind you, an impromptu rendition of ‘Singing in the Rain’ is always good for cheering up the supporters.
Again Wasps conceded a penalty and again Tofty missed.
Mr Pearson makes what is quite clearly another mistake as Wasps go down with the ball, and the same player gets up with the ball but Irish are penalised for not releasing. The following play saw Erinle(?) score a try which King duly converted to make the score 35-19.
Irish were still battling away but it was error strewn and lead to a Wasps scrum. We won the ball and broke away for Scott to score a fan-feckin-tastic try and there was not a wrong move made by Tofty. 35-26 ended up being the final score on 84 minutes and 15 seconds.
All in all, the rugby we saw was so much better than anything I can remember seeing last season. The first 60 minutes in particular were highly entertaining.
The starting15 all looked sharp, fit and served the supporters very well. The loss of Hardwick was bad but Durant didn’t let us down. Hodgeson was a very useful addition and I would hope to see him starting again this weekend. He’s earned it. My Catt is making a big difference and must be silencing his critics. Scott is set to become a firm favourite although I think I might ask my gran to knit him some sticky mitts for next time. Casey was magnificent, does he ever give less than 120%? Barry’s kicking for points was enhanced by his passing and movement around the pitch which both seem to be more fluid and better placed than in previous years.
So where did it all go wrong? The multiple substitutions don’t appear to help. Why do we keep doing it? If there’s an injury fair enough but if the unit on the pitch are working well and preventing the opposition from scoring, then leave them alone. Over the last couple of matches it appears that while we’re busy bedding in the newcomers to the field, the opposition are maximising their scoring opportunities. Tofty (of whom I am very fond) added nothing yesterday. If he came on because Barry was injured (he had taken a knock to the hip earlier) then fine, but as a tactical move, in my humble opinion, it was a poor one.
Following Irish onto the pitch, Wasps came out to The Ride of the Valkyries although someone nearby thought it was The Flight of the Bumblebee – which made me laugh!
From the start Irish looked really quite sharp. We secured ball, made ground, stole ball in the line-outs and when defending, prevented the Pests from making any real gains. Barry’s distance kicking was so good that one ball he hoofed up the field stopped just east of Taunton. Back in our half and this time the boot of Everitt forced the ball to touch just about on the Wasps 22. A period of sustained Irish pressure saw us camped on their line. Wasps won their line-out and cleared to touch for an Irish throw in. We secured the ball and progressed right across the pitch where Scotty received a peach of a pass from Barry and touched the ball down beautifully. Barry converted and it’s 0-7.
Wasps gained the ball from the restart but Mr Pearson noticed they were holding on so awarded a penalty which the boot of Everitt shot into touch on the Wasps 22. We had possession when the Pests conceded another penalty and Barry duly obliged with another glorious 3 points. Fifteen minutes on the clock and it says 0-10. We likey!
At this point, JoeV was heard to utter “They may be Wasps but these are only their B’s” causing a moment of hilarity amongst the Irish supporters. Strangely the Wasps support didn’t find it at all amusing.
The restart saw Awesome catch and pass to Barry who sent the ball soaring into touch just inside the Wasps half. Irish stole the ball at the line-out but were penalised for something invisible to us (because of our position, not because we didn’t deserve it!). Alex King decided that anything Barry can do he can do too and slotted over a peach of a kick, the scoreboard says 3-10 and we’re a quarter of the way in.
Wasps knocked the ball forward and Irish were awarded a scrum. Awesome cleared the ball to just about the Wasps 5m line. Again we stole the ball at the line-out but failed to gain any ground before a try-stopping knock-on saw us lose the ball. Wasps, not a team to look a gift-horse in the mouth careered towards our line where, after what seemed like an eternity, the Irish defence kicked in – and it was awesome, although not without casualties. Hardwick, Bishop and Matt Dawson all went down and received attention. Sadly, Hardwick had to leave the field with a heel injury, Bishop limped back to the field of play and Dawson (who looked to have been winded) also made a return.
Wasps were awarded another penalty and Alex King duly did the necessary. 28 minutes on the clock and the score was 6-10.
Wasps won the ball from the restart but an attempt to find touch was unlucky. Hodgeson rescued the ball and in a mirror image of the previous play also failed to find touch. Again Wasps careered down the pitch but the Irish defence kicked in again and sent the ball safely off into the stands, this last bit happened twice. It was a bit like groundhog day!
Irish gained possession but Big Bob was sent to contemplate his behaviour after unnecessary use of the elbow. Again Alex King kicked the 3 points to make the score 9-10.
Again Irish were penalised but Wasps line-out was poor and Mr Pearson awarded us a scrum. Barry again shot the ball right off the end of the pitch (possibly needs to turn down the power on his boots) and Wasps got a scrum. Although Irish stole the ball and set off at a significant pace, Scott knocked-on and we lost possession.
Bishop’s knee hadn’t recovered from the earlier knock so he left the field to be replaced by Mike Horak.
Wasps spilt the ball for Irish to be awarded a scrum. While Irish had advantage Barry attempted a drop goal which he missed but we were awarded a penalty and the boot of Everitt struck sweetly to make the score 9-13.
The clock says 41 minutes when Mr Pearson made a mistake and penalised My Catt for going in on the ground. We were directly behind him and could clearly see he was standing on his feet at the time. His miming of the situation was quite amusing though, looked like he was singing ‘Head, shoulders, knees and toes’ to the ref! Alex King, not one to miss an opportunity if he can help it, slotted the ball through the uprights for a half time score of 12-13.
The second half started in much the same vein as the first. Irish moved well around the pitch, continued to win ball from Wasps line-outs, stole ball effectively on several occasions and really looked quite tight.
Barry slotted two more penalties in quick succession, the second penalty resulting in their number 4 being sent to contemplate his behaviour on the bench for 10 minutes, which made the score 12-19.
The relief was short-lived however as 1 minute later (as I was just sending a text message saying how well it was going) Barry’s clearance attempt was charged down by O’Connor who provided Wasps first try of the afternoon. Alex King failed to convert.
There followed a period where we would win the ball, thunder one way then the other across the Wasps line and then lose the ball. Wasps having got the ball back, headed for our line where it all looked a bit fraught and tense. Alex King took the opportunity of a drop goal to make the score 20-19.
The announcer said that Roche was being replaced by Murphy but it looked to us like Declan came on. At the same time, Tofty replaced Barry. Fifty seven minutes gone.
Wasps managed to build up a head of steam culminating in Voyce touching down although again the conversion was missed. As Dalaglio made his way on to the pitch the score was 25-19 and sixty minutes on the clock.
From an Irish handling error, the Pests were awarded a penalty and King slotted the ball over for 3 more points. At that point I felt the cold ball of dread making an unwelcome return to my belly.
Wasps won a line-out only to spill the ball (thanks Matt) and we received the penalty which was kicked to touch and led to another period of Irish attack. However, all good things must come to an end and Mr Pearson penalised us for crossing (our arms/fingers/legs?). Yet again Irish won the Wasps throw-in and this time, as variety is the spice of life, took it backwards. Tofty put an end to that by sending the ball cannoning down the field and off into touch. Wasps conceded a penalty which Tofty missed by a country mile – although the pitch-side water cannon may have been slightly distracting. Mind you, an impromptu rendition of ‘Singing in the Rain’ is always good for cheering up the supporters.
Again Wasps conceded a penalty and again Tofty missed.
Mr Pearson makes what is quite clearly another mistake as Wasps go down with the ball, and the same player gets up with the ball but Irish are penalised for not releasing. The following play saw Erinle(?) score a try which King duly converted to make the score 35-19.
Irish were still battling away but it was error strewn and lead to a Wasps scrum. We won the ball and broke away for Scott to score a fan-feckin-tastic try and there was not a wrong move made by Tofty. 35-26 ended up being the final score on 84 minutes and 15 seconds.
All in all, the rugby we saw was so much better than anything I can remember seeing last season. The first 60 minutes in particular were highly entertaining.
The starting15 all looked sharp, fit and served the supporters very well. The loss of Hardwick was bad but Durant didn’t let us down. Hodgeson was a very useful addition and I would hope to see him starting again this weekend. He’s earned it. My Catt is making a big difference and must be silencing his critics. Scott is set to become a firm favourite although I think I might ask my gran to knit him some sticky mitts for next time. Casey was magnificent, does he ever give less than 120%? Barry’s kicking for points was enhanced by his passing and movement around the pitch which both seem to be more fluid and better placed than in previous years.
So where did it all go wrong? The multiple substitutions don’t appear to help. Why do we keep doing it? If there’s an injury fair enough but if the unit on the pitch are working well and preventing the opposition from scoring, then leave them alone. Over the last couple of matches it appears that while we’re busy bedding in the newcomers to the field, the opposition are maximising their scoring opportunities. Tofty (of whom I am very fond) added nothing yesterday. If he came on because Barry was injured (he had taken a knock to the hip earlier) then fine, but as a tactical move, in my humble opinion, it was a poor one.
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