London Irish
London Irish 13 Harlequins 16
By Alan Manicom
February 1 2010
Unfortunately, due to family illness, SteveS wasn't able to attend the game and provide a match report. Fortunately, Alan Manicom, from GetReading has allowed us to use his text updates of the game to produce a report.
I have only included his texts, not those of other posters to the on-line thread. To see the complete article visit
GetReading
Player-coach Mike Catt is one of 12 changes to the Exiles side that started last Saturday's 11-11 Heineken Cup draw with Leinster at Twickenham.
Coach Toby Booth is unable to call upon eight players who are on international duty and also has to contend with several others being injured.
Australian full-back Peter Hewat takes over the captaincy in the absence of Bob Casey, who has been struggling with calf and back problems.
London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat (capt), 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Mike Catt, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Peter Richards, 1 Dan Murphy 2 James Buckland, 3 Paulica Ion, 4 Gary Johnson, 5 Andy Perry, 6 Kieran Roche, 7 Richard Thorpe, 8 George Stowers.
Replacements: 16 Danie Coetzee, 17 James Tideswell, 18 Max Lahiff, 19 Matt Garvey, 20 Jamie Gibson, 21 John Rudd, 22 Alfredo Lalanne, 23 Jamie Lennard.
Harlequins: 1 Ceri Jones, 2 Matt Cairns, 3 John Andress, 4 James Percival, 5 Lewis Stevenson, 6 Chris York, 7 Will Skinner (capt), 8 Tom Guest, 9 Karl Dickson, 10 Nick Evans, 11 Sam Smith, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 14 George Lowe, 15 Mike Brown.
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 Aston Croall, 18 James Johnston, 19 Thomas Vallejos, 20 Neil McMillan, 21 Steve So'Oialo, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Josh Drauniniu.
Scarlets' 18-13 win at Wasps yesterday means that London Irish must avoid defeat in their penultimate group game if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the semi-finals. Scarlets lead Pool B with 11 points from three games, followed by Gloucester with 6 from three, while London Irish have five points from two games and Newcastle have yet to take any points from their two games.
Harlequins make one change to their previously announced starting line-up with Neil McMillan coming in at openside flanker for Will Skinner, who was to have captained the team.
Luke Wallace takes McMillan's place on the bench, while the captaincy passes to full-back Mike Brown.
It's a cold, wintry but dry day here at Madejski Stadium. Toby Booth and his coaching staff are out on the pitch, getting the London Irish players warmed up and ready for action. There's a pretty sparse crowd with more empty seats than full ones just a quarter of an hour before kick-off.
The players are on the pitch and the crowd , which has increased significantly in the last few minutes has just paid tribute to the rugby commentator Bill McLaren with a minute's applause.
1st Half:
3 mins 0-3 Early Harlequins pressure is rewarded with an penalty for Nick Evans from about 23 metres.
5 mins 0-3 A neat cross-kick by Ryan Lamb to the left wing bounces inside Sailosi Tagicakibau but a chasing Gary Johnson knocks on with the line beckoning.
6 mins 0-3 Irish win the scrum about 20 metres out and now have the put-in.
7 mins 0-3 Quins are penalised at the scrum and Ryan Lamb hits the inside of the near post with his first penalty attempt. Quins catch the ball as it falls and clear for a line-out in their own 22. #
10 mins 0-3 Irish have the ball in hand but just work it across the lines in midfield before Lamb kicks the ball dead.
11 mins 0-3 Richard Thorpe takes advantage of confusion in Quins' defence to make a break down the left but his pass to Johnson goes astray and Quins have a line-out just inside their own half.
13 mins 0-3 Peter Hewat is forced into a risky run across the face of the posts under pressure before passing to Topsy Ojo who makes a few yards before the ball is worked back to Mike Catt for a good clearnce kick.
16 mins 0-3 Mike Catt shows terrific speed to get up and tackle his opposite number in midfield.
17 mins 0-3 The ref brings it back to a scrum on the Irish 22, though, as there was no advantage to Quins.
19 mins 0-6 Irish lose the scrum and from the breakdown are guilty of killing the ball. Evans has an easy penalty kick from right under the posts.
21 mins 0-6 A super kick by Lamb bounces into touch just inside the Quins 22.
22 mins 0-6 Irish win the line-out and push Quins back to within 7 metres with two scrums.
24 mins 0-6 Irish spin the ball to the left and have a man over but run out of space and Tagicakibau is bundled into touch by George Lowe just short of the line. It also looked like a forward pass.
25 mins 0-6 Good clearance by Evans. Irish win the line-out and run it back, winning a kickable penalty. but he goes for the corner.
27 mins 0-6 The game is followinga familiar pattern. Irish passing across the field and Quins smothering them.
29 mins 0-6 A clever chip and chase by Hewat into the corner but he just went into touch before grounding the ball.
30 mins 0-6 Irish have all the possession but Quins are working hard to keep them at bay. Exiles are guilty of not really going through the phases.
32 mins 0-6 A great take from George Stowers under a high ball.
34 mins 0-11 The ball is spun wide by Irish out to the left but with space running out, Hewat's pass to Ojo is intercepted by Sam Smith, who runs virtually the length of the pitch unopposed to touch down under the posts.
35 mins 0-13 Evans converts
36 mins 0-13 Jordan Turner-Hall is yellow carded for a late tackle on Lamb, who was very quick to get rid of the ball.
39 mins 0-13 Lamb misses his second penalty from the edge of the 22 about 10 metres in from the touchline
39 mins 0-13 Matt Garvey is on for Richard Thorpe, who looks to have a slight injury
40 mins 0-16 Evans shows no signs of inaccuracy, booting over from just inside the Irish half
40 mins 0-16 Irish have a scrum five metres from the Quins line and twice win penalties. But Exiles go for a retaken scrum.
40 mins 0-16 Finally Irish opt to go for the posts.
40 mins 3-16 From the other side of the pitch Lamb hits the same post he struck last time. This time it bounces down the right side of the bar, ending the first half.
Attendance is 10,030
Irish have had the vast majority of possession but they are working off very slow ball and Quins are defending very well. The visitors also have the advantage of having an in-from kicker in Nick Evans.
Unfortunately the clock at Madejski Stadium is not working so the timings on here are approximate. The last minute, though, was very long due to Irish passing up penalty chances and the ball not going dead.
2nd Half
41 mins 3-16 Ojo does well to get possession from Irish kick-off.
42 mins 3-16 Irish win a penalty from a central position. Peter Richards inexplicably knocks on as he tries to take a quick tap. He did not look pleased with himself.
43 mins 3-16 Chris Brooker comes on at hooker for Quins' Matt Cairns. Irish are winning the scrums, but it's not enough on its own.
44 mins 3-16 Karl Dickson kicks on down the right wing and does well to catch Lamb in possession in his own 22. Hewat kicks for touch to relieve the pressure.
48 mins 3-16 Catt and Tagicakibau combine well to create a bit of pressure. Richards' pass is dropped in midfield by Lamb.
48 mins Turner Hall is back on
49 mins 3-16 A monster clearance by Quins captain Mike Brown is returned by Hewat for a line-out on the visitors' 22.
51 mins 3-16 Irish are beginning to probe with a bit more effect.
53 mins 8-16 TRY Jonathan Joseph after great work down right wing by Hewat and by Ojo, who did well to avoid going into touch. Lamb missed what looked a very kickable conversion, pushing it wide.
60 mins 8-16 A kicking contest is ended by an intelligent chip by hewat who chases on and kicks again but the ball bounces into Evans' hands. He is tackled allowing Quins to win a penalty. They are now on the Irish 22.
60 mins 8-16 George Lowe is close in the corner, but is shoved into touch.
61 mins 8-16 Quins make four subs. Aston Croall, James Johnston, Luke Wallace and James Johnston are on for Ceri Jones, James Percival, Chris York and John Andress.
62 mins 8-16 Alfredo lalanne and Jamie Gibson on for Richards and Andy Perry.
64 mins 8-16 The ball is coming quicker now for Irish. Hewat and Stowers have both made good breaks and Exiles are threatening the Quins line more now. It's a scrum to Quins from about 15 metres from their own line.
66 mins 8-16 Irish win the scrum and continue to press but Quins are holding out. Quins have brought on Steve So'oialo for Dickson, Irish have replaced Catt with Jamie Lennard.
68 mins 8-16 Evans misses with a penalty from a central position but from just inside the Irish half.
69 mins 8-16 Danie Coetzee and James Tideswell come on for Irish.
73 mins Croall yellow card. Ceri Jones back on for the Wallace. Irish scrum 12 metres from Quins line.
74 mins 8-16 Irish man of the match is announced as Jonathan Joseph
77 mins 8-16 Irish win scrum but Lamb's ball to Tagicakibau on the onside goes to ground.
79 mins Hold-up as players from both sides receive treatment.
79 mins 8-16 Quins line-out is stolen by Irish. John Rudd makes good ground.
80 mins 13-16 TRY Jonathan Joseph shows great determination to get to the line down the right.
80 mins 13-16 Lamb misses the conversion from out by the touchline and the whistle goes for full-time.
FULL-TIME: London Irish 13 Harlequins 16
From the editors and posters on this MB, I'd like to thank Alan for letting us use this.
Again, if you'd like to see the complete article, including other people's posts on it, visit GetReading
Player-coach Mike Catt is one of 12 changes to the Exiles side that started last Saturday's 11-11 Heineken Cup draw with Leinster at Twickenham.
Coach Toby Booth is unable to call upon eight players who are on international duty and also has to contend with several others being injured.
Australian full-back Peter Hewat takes over the captaincy in the absence of Bob Casey, who has been struggling with calf and back problems.
London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat (capt), 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Mike Catt, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Peter Richards, 1 Dan Murphy 2 James Buckland, 3 Paulica Ion, 4 Gary Johnson, 5 Andy Perry, 6 Kieran Roche, 7 Richard Thorpe, 8 George Stowers.
Replacements: 16 Danie Coetzee, 17 James Tideswell, 18 Max Lahiff, 19 Matt Garvey, 20 Jamie Gibson, 21 John Rudd, 22 Alfredo Lalanne, 23 Jamie Lennard.
Harlequins: 1 Ceri Jones, 2 Matt Cairns, 3 John Andress, 4 James Percival, 5 Lewis Stevenson, 6 Chris York, 7 Will Skinner (capt), 8 Tom Guest, 9 Karl Dickson, 10 Nick Evans, 11 Sam Smith, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 14 George Lowe, 15 Mike Brown.
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 Aston Croall, 18 James Johnston, 19 Thomas Vallejos, 20 Neil McMillan, 21 Steve So'Oialo, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Josh Drauniniu.
Scarlets' 18-13 win at Wasps yesterday means that London Irish must avoid defeat in their penultimate group game if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the semi-finals. Scarlets lead Pool B with 11 points from three games, followed by Gloucester with 6 from three, while London Irish have five points from two games and Newcastle have yet to take any points from their two games.
Harlequins make one change to their previously announced starting line-up with Neil McMillan coming in at openside flanker for Will Skinner, who was to have captained the team.
Luke Wallace takes McMillan's place on the bench, while the captaincy passes to full-back Mike Brown.
It's a cold, wintry but dry day here at Madejski Stadium. Toby Booth and his coaching staff are out on the pitch, getting the London Irish players warmed up and ready for action. There's a pretty sparse crowd with more empty seats than full ones just a quarter of an hour before kick-off.
The players are on the pitch and the crowd , which has increased significantly in the last few minutes has just paid tribute to the rugby commentator Bill McLaren with a minute's applause.
1st Half:
3 mins 0-3 Early Harlequins pressure is rewarded with an penalty for Nick Evans from about 23 metres.
5 mins 0-3 A neat cross-kick by Ryan Lamb to the left wing bounces inside Sailosi Tagicakibau but a chasing Gary Johnson knocks on with the line beckoning.
6 mins 0-3 Irish win the scrum about 20 metres out and now have the put-in.
7 mins 0-3 Quins are penalised at the scrum and Ryan Lamb hits the inside of the near post with his first penalty attempt. Quins catch the ball as it falls and clear for a line-out in their own 22. #
10 mins 0-3 Irish have the ball in hand but just work it across the lines in midfield before Lamb kicks the ball dead.
11 mins 0-3 Richard Thorpe takes advantage of confusion in Quins' defence to make a break down the left but his pass to Johnson goes astray and Quins have a line-out just inside their own half.
13 mins 0-3 Peter Hewat is forced into a risky run across the face of the posts under pressure before passing to Topsy Ojo who makes a few yards before the ball is worked back to Mike Catt for a good clearnce kick.
16 mins 0-3 Mike Catt shows terrific speed to get up and tackle his opposite number in midfield.
17 mins 0-3 The ref brings it back to a scrum on the Irish 22, though, as there was no advantage to Quins.
19 mins 0-6 Irish lose the scrum and from the breakdown are guilty of killing the ball. Evans has an easy penalty kick from right under the posts.
21 mins 0-6 A super kick by Lamb bounces into touch just inside the Quins 22.
22 mins 0-6 Irish win the line-out and push Quins back to within 7 metres with two scrums.
24 mins 0-6 Irish spin the ball to the left and have a man over but run out of space and Tagicakibau is bundled into touch by George Lowe just short of the line. It also looked like a forward pass.
25 mins 0-6 Good clearance by Evans. Irish win the line-out and run it back, winning a kickable penalty. but he goes for the corner.
27 mins 0-6 The game is followinga familiar pattern. Irish passing across the field and Quins smothering them.
29 mins 0-6 A clever chip and chase by Hewat into the corner but he just went into touch before grounding the ball.
30 mins 0-6 Irish have all the possession but Quins are working hard to keep them at bay. Exiles are guilty of not really going through the phases.
32 mins 0-6 A great take from George Stowers under a high ball.
34 mins 0-11 The ball is spun wide by Irish out to the left but with space running out, Hewat's pass to Ojo is intercepted by Sam Smith, who runs virtually the length of the pitch unopposed to touch down under the posts.
35 mins 0-13 Evans converts
36 mins 0-13 Jordan Turner-Hall is yellow carded for a late tackle on Lamb, who was very quick to get rid of the ball.
39 mins 0-13 Lamb misses his second penalty from the edge of the 22 about 10 metres in from the touchline
39 mins 0-13 Matt Garvey is on for Richard Thorpe, who looks to have a slight injury
40 mins 0-16 Evans shows no signs of inaccuracy, booting over from just inside the Irish half
40 mins 0-16 Irish have a scrum five metres from the Quins line and twice win penalties. But Exiles go for a retaken scrum.
40 mins 0-16 Finally Irish opt to go for the posts.
40 mins 3-16 From the other side of the pitch Lamb hits the same post he struck last time. This time it bounces down the right side of the bar, ending the first half.
Attendance is 10,030
Irish have had the vast majority of possession but they are working off very slow ball and Quins are defending very well. The visitors also have the advantage of having an in-from kicker in Nick Evans.
Unfortunately the clock at Madejski Stadium is not working so the timings on here are approximate. The last minute, though, was very long due to Irish passing up penalty chances and the ball not going dead.
2nd Half
41 mins 3-16 Ojo does well to get possession from Irish kick-off.
42 mins 3-16 Irish win a penalty from a central position. Peter Richards inexplicably knocks on as he tries to take a quick tap. He did not look pleased with himself.
43 mins 3-16 Chris Brooker comes on at hooker for Quins' Matt Cairns. Irish are winning the scrums, but it's not enough on its own.
44 mins 3-16 Karl Dickson kicks on down the right wing and does well to catch Lamb in possession in his own 22. Hewat kicks for touch to relieve the pressure.
48 mins 3-16 Catt and Tagicakibau combine well to create a bit of pressure. Richards' pass is dropped in midfield by Lamb.
48 mins Turner Hall is back on
49 mins 3-16 A monster clearance by Quins captain Mike Brown is returned by Hewat for a line-out on the visitors' 22.
51 mins 3-16 Irish are beginning to probe with a bit more effect.
53 mins 8-16 TRY Jonathan Joseph after great work down right wing by Hewat and by Ojo, who did well to avoid going into touch. Lamb missed what looked a very kickable conversion, pushing it wide.
60 mins 8-16 A kicking contest is ended by an intelligent chip by hewat who chases on and kicks again but the ball bounces into Evans' hands. He is tackled allowing Quins to win a penalty. They are now on the Irish 22.
60 mins 8-16 George Lowe is close in the corner, but is shoved into touch.
61 mins 8-16 Quins make four subs. Aston Croall, James Johnston, Luke Wallace and James Johnston are on for Ceri Jones, James Percival, Chris York and John Andress.
62 mins 8-16 Alfredo lalanne and Jamie Gibson on for Richards and Andy Perry.
64 mins 8-16 The ball is coming quicker now for Irish. Hewat and Stowers have both made good breaks and Exiles are threatening the Quins line more now. It's a scrum to Quins from about 15 metres from their own line.
66 mins 8-16 Irish win the scrum and continue to press but Quins are holding out. Quins have brought on Steve So'oialo for Dickson, Irish have replaced Catt with Jamie Lennard.
68 mins 8-16 Evans misses with a penalty from a central position but from just inside the Irish half.
69 mins 8-16 Danie Coetzee and James Tideswell come on for Irish.
73 mins Croall yellow card. Ceri Jones back on for the Wallace. Irish scrum 12 metres from Quins line.
74 mins 8-16 Irish man of the match is announced as Jonathan Joseph
77 mins 8-16 Irish win scrum but Lamb's ball to Tagicakibau on the onside goes to ground.
79 mins Hold-up as players from both sides receive treatment.
79 mins 8-16 Quins line-out is stolen by Irish. John Rudd makes good ground.
80 mins 13-16 TRY Jonathan Joseph shows great determination to get to the line down the right.
80 mins 13-16 Lamb misses the conversion from out by the touchline and the whistle goes for full-time.
FULL-TIME: London Irish 13 Harlequins 16
From the editors and posters on this MB, I'd like to thank Alan for letting us use this.
Again, if you'd like to see the complete article, including other people's posts on it, visit GetReading
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StumbleuponLondon Irish 13 Harlequins 16
Discussion started by The Craic www.londonirish.org , 01/02/2010 14:02
The Craic www.londonirish.org
01/02/2010 14:02
01/02/2010 14:02
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Again, thanks to Alan for letting us use his oo-line report. When speaking to him, he assured me that he's since edited some of the more fruity language of some of the contributors to the article as match went on.
Quote:Alan Manicom
Attendance is 10,030
That is one of the grossest exaggerations [ie 144 times worse!] since Josef Goebbels said the Germans were going to win the war in a canter...!
I know they count STH whether or not they are present, but that is laughable!
Quote:AlecWQuote:Alan Manicom
Attendance is 10,030
That is one of the grossest exaggerations [ie 144 times worse!] since Josef Goebbels said the Germans were going to win the war in a canter...!
I know they count STH whether or not they are present, but that is laughable!
Thought that there were about 6000-7000 there. About half left before the end as they couldn't take any more excitement
![[:wor kid:]](/phorum-5.1.15/mods/smileys/images/13.gif "[:wor kid:]")
Quote:What
MOTM Bleeding Nora
Bleeding or not, Nora could not have done any worse!
More like reasonably good sized crowd, subjected to mixed rugby.
I don't believe there were anywhere near 10K there yesterday at all.
If this type of form continues, I would fear that attendance numbers could slide. I really hope not obviously.
St Pats Day for example is a big money spinning event for the club, but with Sale as the opposition, travelling support on a Sunday will be low.
We're going to need some heck of a PR effort to encourage 20K+ people to come to the Madstad on a Sunday afternoon, especially if they have heard about/experienced our 2010 form to date (yes, including Leinster match).
A strong confidence building performance against Wuss, an even stronger GP performance against 'Barf and we could stop the rot.
Here's hoping
I don't believe there were anywhere near 10K there yesterday at all.
If this type of form continues, I would fear that attendance numbers could slide. I really hope not obviously.
St Pats Day for example is a big money spinning event for the club, but with Sale as the opposition, travelling support on a Sunday will be low.
We're going to need some heck of a PR effort to encourage 20K+ people to come to the Madstad on a Sunday afternoon, especially if they have heard about/experienced our 2010 form to date (yes, including Leinster match).
A strong confidence building performance against Wuss, an even stronger GP performance against 'Barf and we could stop the rot.
Here's hoping
Look 6 kids and the reserves and we nearly beat the Quins, except for two minutes of tennis it was good rugby( compared to 5 years ago)
The world is not at an end and I expect to be at twickers in may shouting for the Not Nots
The world is not at an end and I expect to be at twickers in may shouting for the Not Nots
Quote:AlecWQuote:What
MOTM Bleeding Nora
Bleeding or not, Nora could not have done any worse!
the guy behind me, asked if she could kick
The world so far as London Irish form goes most certainly isn't at an end, just at a very big crossroads.
I too am hoping they head for the road to Twickers.
Let's just hope we don't have to kick our way there!
I too am hoping they head for the road to Twickers.
Let's just hope we don't have to kick our way there!
As various sages have said in the past, the key to a good season is DNFUJ*
* DO NOT FECK UP JANUARY...!
And we have. Comprehensively.
* DO NOT FECK UP JANUARY...!
And we have. Comprehensively.
Disagree.
The match against Stains was desperately disappointing but the only other Premiership match was moved out of the graveyard month.
None of the other matches matter so beat Bath and we are back on track.
The match against Stains was desperately disappointing but the only other Premiership match was moved out of the graveyard month.
None of the other matches matter so beat Bath and we are back on track.
Good to see our academy outside centre score two tries and their international outside centre not score.
I'd rather be a Paddy than a quin.
I'd rather drink a Guinness than a Pimms.
I'd rather be a Paddy than a quin.
I'd rather drink a Guinness than a Pimms.
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