Tigers v London Irish Match Report
By TigerR
November 26 2013
Unluck of the Irish Both London Irish and Leicester Tigers arrived at Welford Road in need of a win in the Premiership. Tigers had the advantages of having won twice in the LV Cup and playing at home and began as favourites, which they justified by dominating the first ten minutes of play.
This included what seemed a slightly prematurely awarded penalty try from a 5m scrum. Flood converted and also kicked a penalty goal. Then London Irish gained a good grip on the game by retaining possession through many phases and Tigers struggled to get out of their half. It reminded me of the first half against Harlequins.
Tigers seem to have lost the knack of pinching the ball in the loose. They also lost yet another centre to injury, Matt Smith pulled a hamstring and had to be replaced by stand-in centre Adam Thompstone. Two penalty goals to Irish resulted. 10-6 at half time.
Tigers started the second half strongly and a charge down by Nial Morris was gathered by the same and he sprinted for the line only to he hauled down by England’s Marlon Yarde. After referral to the TMO it was ruled that the ball was held up over the line.
The resulting 5m scrum resulted almost ten minutes later in a second penalty try for Tigers. To be fair to the referee Mr Fox Tigers did lose the ball at one scrum But Irish knocked on in the pick up of the loose ball which will have reset any tally of offences by the Irish scrum.
As the ref was reluctant to award a second penalty try in one game, he had to yellow card an Irish prop (John Yapp). Flood converted to leave Tigers with a comfortable lead. There followed a stale mate until Graham Kitchener came into the side of a ruck over enthusiastically fast knocking Irish players back.
A yellow card left tigers a man down and Irish started to throw the ball about. One of these resulted in a move that went from inside their own 22 to the try line with Fergus Mulchrone touching down.
The conversion which would have given Irish a much needed losing bonus point went wide. Then another sweeping move put Irish in the Tigers 22 with time expired. Irish tried to score a try, but then tried a drop goal which Geraghty pushed just wide.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:12:10:22:28:31 by Tiggs.
Interesting that you mention Kitch's penalty - I have to say I can't see how it was a penalty. It was pretty much right in front of us and he clearly came from behind the back foot and at the time the ball carrier was clearly holding on.
One of numerous ecclectic decisions by Mr Fox on the day.
...
I saw it as somewhat from the side but it may have been the running in and bashing a player out of the ruck that was the problem. I.e. too much like a cheap shot not enough of a controlled but vigorous entry.
Sorry about the error on Morris /Thompstone, I may have relied on another report that also got it wrong. I was standing more towards the other end near the Bishop who is a friend of a friend of a friend (all present on the day).
Stopsy,
Yes it was one of the better matches to miss.