London Irish
Cup Half Full - London Irish 28 Harlequins 31
By Babs O
October 29 2012
The last match report I wrote was in March 2011 so apologies now if it doesn't meet your usual standards! So after a miserable start to the season where we lost our 1st 3 games, we went into a home game against the reigning champions and our local rivals in some kind of form having won 4 from the last 5.
Quins had lost their last 2 in the league but had won back to back games in the Heineken meaning that Irish fans went into this game with a level of optimism and at least a hope we would hold our own. I was predicting a tight but entertaining affair but hoping we would be on the right side of the result.
So to the game, and the first few minutes were tight with each pack trying to get the upper hand on their opponents. One thing that was clear from the outset was how improved our pack has become especially in the scrum. However Quins scored the first points when Ben Botica, their latest Kiwi Fly half kicked 2 penalties in quick succession to put Quins into a 6-0 lead. However Irish came back into the game after getting into the 22 and when Humphries put in a chip for Topsy, Quins managed to snuff out the danger and turn the ball over. The attempted clearance kick by Botica was charged down by Jamie Gibson (who is very very good at this particular skill) and Guy Armitage was on hand to catch the ball and dot down for his first try. The conversion by Humphries was good and we were back in the game. Quins were then handed the lead again when Watson made a half break from our 22 and his attempted offload eluded Hala’ufia and Danny Care pounced to intercept and run through untouched under the posts for a try. The rest of the half was spent by the packs predominantly slugging it out and trying to get ball to their backs but resolute defence from both teams restricted the amount of try scoring opportunities. Some huge hits were going in all over the park, one in particular from Mr Hala’ufia was eye watering! Irish managed to slot 3 penalties to Quins’ 1 to take the score to 16-16 at the break.
The game was incredibly tight and I was impressed by our determination and also it seemed our penalty count was much lower than it had been in previous games. I was concerned about the speed of ball Quins were getting from the breakdown too.
2nd half and Quins drew first Blood (see what I did there?!?) when Botica slotted another penalty but we quickly replied with another 3 points from the boot of Humphries. However we then failed to deal with the restart effectively and gave Quins a scrum from which they scored the try of the game. A quick 8-9 combination made space for Hopper who then fed Botica who put Tom Williams into the far corner. The conversion was made and suddenly Quins had a 7 point lead over us. This had all Irish fans (myself included) worried that we would try and force the game and hand the initiative to the visitors. However we controlled the game and played the percentages and due to the constant pressure, Humphries was given the opportunity to chip away at the lead, kicking 3 penalties in succession to give Irish the lead with just under 8 minutes to go. Nerve wracking to say the least and all I kept thinking was ‘no silly penalties’ which in seasons gone by had been our downfall in situations like this. However even after putting Quins deep into their own territory, perhaps our passive approach to the breakdown mean that they were able to put multiple phases together and work their way up the pitch as the clock wound down. Irish defended bravely with huge hits being put by all the team. With just over a minute to go, Quins worked the ball to our right hand side and Monye with a slight gap headed for the corner. Guy Armitage put in a huge hit on Monye to drive him out and Monye managed to put the ball back infield. From all angles of the ground in real time, it looked like the ball had gone forward but Casson who was following up, looked like he knocked the ball on to his knee before falling on the ball over our try line. His expression was a look of despair along with most of the other Quins players however ‘Sir’ decided to go to the TMO to review. Having watched the replay numerous times, I still feel there was a slight knock on from Casson prior to the ball hitting his knee and his reaction gives me the impression he did too. However the TMO gave the try and in that moment broke Irish hearts. With the conversion missed, final score was Irish 28 Quins 31.
It’s hard work being so emotionally invested in a team and a game like that doesn't do my health any good at all. However having had time to reflect, I will look at the positives rather than dwell on the negatives. We ran toe to toe with the champions and pushed them all the way and probably deserved more than we got. It shows we have come a long way this season already that majority of us are so disappointed with the result. Also, last season we relied so heavily on Tom Homer’s boot as we did not have an able substitute but now we have 3 kickers of outstanding quality in Humphries, Shingler and Homer. The team is in good shape and if we can take the same intensity and belief into the rest of the season, especially on Friday against Sale, we could be in for good things.
Lastly, huge congrats to Declan Danaher on his 250th appearance for the team, quite simply a great achievement for a wholly committed player and an overall nice guy. I'm especially pleased considering he has worked his way back from 2 serious knee injuries in the last 5 years.
Glass half full guys, let’s keep it positive. Come On You Irish!
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Stumbleupon29/10/2012 11:12
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What is important is the we are competetive again with the top teams in the AP. It wasn't like that in September.
Faugh-a-Ballagh!
"Our prayer is 'God save Ireland' and pour blessings on her name!"
Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum
This illness bit presumably accounts for why they kept lying down and taking frequent breathers to discuss tactics.
I couldn't agree more in that we are beginning to look competitive now. I am ever the optomist and every week I look forward....not backwards!
Laighean ag éirí leat an diabhal
