By SirBurger
October 2 2010

I will begin this match report by making a confession. It was only about fifteen minutes into my train journey that I realised I had rather foolishly nominated myself to compose the report for this week. I therefore apologise, both for my lack of responsibility in forgetting, and also for any errors which may have been made.

Looking at the teams as Caimh announced them, I felt reasonably confident. The Leeds backline looked very inexperienced, and I was sure that we would have too much power for them. However, in spite of the fine form of Jonathon Joseph lately, I was slightly disappointed that Tagicakibau was not down to start. I felt that, if we were to get the best out of him against Munster, he was going to need at least 40 minutes. In the end I think Toby judged the Samoan’s involvement just right.

Irish did not start especially brightly, and I was already wondering whether some players had half a mind on next week. However, due to the sheer power of our front row we were able to get some early change out of Leeds. It was therefore disappointing that Ryan failed to convert from either of the early penalty opportunities that were sent our way. However, after eighteen minutes of a rather poor level of Rugby, London Irish were awarded a penalty ( I cannot remember for what!) and Ryan duly took advantage. The score stood at 3-0, but at this stage it did seem slightly against the run of play. Our backrow seemed to be losing the battle at the breakdown to the ubiquitous Hendre Fourie, and Leeds began to make progress through some swift interpassing by their forwards. It was on the back of this powerful play that Cieron Thomas, in a fashion similar to Jimmy Gopperth last week, managed to ghost through the Irish defence, for the first try of the game. Dave Ellis would have been furious! With the try converted Leeds held a 7-3 advantage, and looked good value for it.

Irish continued to try and make inroads, but the attack was sloppy and a bit predictable. Ryan through a few wild passes, and amongst others, Corbisiero seemed to drop the ball everytime it came his way. In fact, Topsy looked to be the only player capable of holding onto it and making some ground. On the back of one strong break by Ojo, Leeds again infringed and Lamb was able to edge Irish closer to the Leeds scoreline. After this penalty Irish finally seemed to wake up and begin attacking the Carnegie defence with a bit more vigour. Ojo and Stowers particularly willing to carry the ball into the heart of the Leeds defence. Having squandered numerous opportunities to spread the ball wide and make the most of the many overlaps available, Hodgson’s insistence on popping the ball to static forward pods somehow paid off as James Buckland crashed over for his second try of the season. Ryan Lamb added the conversion and Irish suddenly found themselves 16-7 ahead with four minutes of the half to play.

Almost immediately from the restart, Hendre Fourie who had been playing on the edge for most of the half, committed one offence too many, and the rather whistle-happy ref sent him for 10 in the bin. As their most impressive player this was good news for Irish, although for some reason I felt a little sympathetic. At this moment I was also reminded of how good a contest it would have been for Steffon to do battle with the large South African. As a result of the penalty Irish made more inroads, with Stowers again carrying the ball with aplomb. Ryan eventually through a rather speculative pass which Kieron could only knock on. With a little more precision Irish should have collected another try just before the break. In the end though, Lamb converted another penalty, right in front of the posts, to send the boys in 16-7 ahead.

Leeds started the second half as they had begun the first, as much the brighter side, and were rewarded for their pressure with a Thomas penalty. However, on 50 minutes Booth made a change, which although I am sure was carried out with one eye on next week, ended up altering the course of this week’s game. Garvey coming on for Danaher ended up being an inspired move, and the young forward’s impact was immediate, earning Irish precious yards, which in turn enabled Lamb to send over another penalty, to make the scores 19-10. I don’t like to exaggerate with these young boys, but Garvey looks like our very own version of Courtney Lawes, and carries the ball with real ferocity. He looks like a future England international and I was highly impressed.

A minute later another important change, amongst others, was made, with Tagicakibau stepping onto the pitch for Jonathon Joseph. Irish managed to work their way down field, and from a scrum five metres out, Stowers fed off the base to Sailosi, who running onto the ball at speed, sidestepped both the Leeds fly-half and the covering backrow, to crash over the line. With £25 resting on the lad being the Aviva’s top try scorer this season, I was especially pleased with this score! Lamby sent the conversion over and Irish were beginning to look comfortable. From the resulting kick-off Stowers broke down field and combined with Kennedy to nearly send the rangy lock in at the corner. Several phases later, and the big Samoan Number 8 crashed over to give the Irish another try. The play in the build-up to the try however did seem slightly hurried, and Irish will need to show greater patience next week. Elvis in particular seemed to throw a few wild ones!

With the scores at 33-10 Irish just needed to push for the bonus point win, but instead seemed insistent on infringing at the breakdown. From a line-out five metres out, the men in green’s fringe defence seemed to completely evaporate and Hendre Fourie, who again was everywhere, crashed over for a well-deserved try.

The fourth try and subsequent bonus point was eluding Irish at this moment, and the tactic of throwing the ball to Sailosi at every possible opportunity did not seem to be working. However, just as I was thinking this to myself, the big man received the ball at first receiver and, with what seemed like the whole pack driving him on, crashed over the line. It is amazing how much of a difference he makes to the team, and I really hope that any talk of him leaving at the end of the season is premature.

However, just as important as the bonus point try, was the sloppy defence late on, which for the fourth consecutive game allowed the opponents to claim a late try. After numerous phases in the Irish 22, the big Leeds Centre, Luthar Burrell was able to take the ball over the line to bring the scores to 40-24.

In summary a bonus point win is always a positive result. Yet, it was only when Garvey and Tagicakibau came off the bench that we seemed to have any go forward. We will have to improve both offensively and defensively if we are to give Munster a game next week. My man of the match, although being seriously tempted to give it to one of the two aforementioned, would have to be Stowers who carried the ball supremely well. However, I hope Chris is back next week to give him a bit of a hand.