Auf Wiedersehen Pete
By CreamCraicer
May 16 2010
So here we are, the last game of a season that has left many at London Irish (plays, coaches and fans alike) disappointed. 6th place and Heineken Cup rugby next season was garunteed before the match had kicked off. Our opponents couldn’t better their pre-match 2nd but had to win to fend off the Saffacens attempts to gain a home semi-final.
The match started off promisingly for Irish; a Ryan Lamb crossfield kick found Ojo in space with only a last-gasp tackle from Ben Foden denying Topsy a try. Ojo’s fellow flyer, Tagicakibau, was soon in on the action when he attacked from his own 22, beating defenders in the way only he can before getting bundled into touch but what seemed like half the population of Northampton 30 metres short of the try-line.
The first chance to kick points came when Northampton were penalised but young Tom Homer hit the post with his attempt. Our opponents kicker, Stephen Myler, wasn’t so unlucky and soon put the Saints 6-0 with two kicks in quick succession. With the clock ticking towards the last minute of the half, Saints centre Jon Clarke was sent in after a break from Chris Ashton, Clarke touched down for his 8th try of the season. Myler missed the conversion; 11-0 Saints at HT.
Soon after the restart Saints dealt the killer blow when Soane “’we’re now above Saracens, Im staying” Tonga’uiha bashed his way through Irish defence and offloaded to Kruger who in turn popped the ball into the hands of Ashton who touched down under the posts; Mylers successful conversion and a penalty soon after made it 21-0.
Irish finally registered points when hard work from the pack, going through the phases, ended with the homeward bound Danie Coetzee going over the line for his first (and last) try for The Exiles. Young Homer converted to make the score 7-21…was a comeback on the cards? No, another myler penalty made it 7-24
Cramp denied Ojo an interception try, but soon the crowd were cheering and applauding, and in a show of true appreciation of a legend of the game, it was from both the Irish and Saints fans; a certain Mike Catt came onto the pitch, in place of the limping Ojo, and received a standing ovation from the 14,000 plus crowd.
Saints hadn’t read the script (which involved the young Mr Catt leading a glorious comeback and securing the win with a last-kick drop goal) and a second try from Jon Clarke and conversion from Myler made the final score London Irish 7-31 Northampton Saints.
But the day wasn’t about the result, it was about the goodbyes. The London Irish family said farewell to some great players in Mike Catt, Peter Hewat, Pete Richards, Andy Perry, Danie Coetzee, John Rudd and (according to the match-day programme) Charlie Gower. I would like to say a huge thank you to all these players and wish them the very best for the future.
The first chance to kick points came when Northampton were penalised but young Tom Homer hit the post with his attempt. Our opponents kicker, Stephen Myler, wasn’t so unlucky and soon put the Saints 6-0 with two kicks in quick succession. With the clock ticking towards the last minute of the half, Saints centre Jon Clarke was sent in after a break from Chris Ashton, Clarke touched down for his 8th try of the season. Myler missed the conversion; 11-0 Saints at HT.
Soon after the restart Saints dealt the killer blow when Soane “’we’re now above Saracens, Im staying” Tonga’uiha bashed his way through Irish defence and offloaded to Kruger who in turn popped the ball into the hands of Ashton who touched down under the posts; Mylers successful conversion and a penalty soon after made it 21-0.
Irish finally registered points when hard work from the pack, going through the phases, ended with the homeward bound Danie Coetzee going over the line for his first (and last) try for The Exiles. Young Homer converted to make the score 7-21…was a comeback on the cards? No, another myler penalty made it 7-24
Cramp denied Ojo an interception try, but soon the crowd were cheering and applauding, and in a show of true appreciation of a legend of the game, it was from both the Irish and Saints fans; a certain Mike Catt came onto the pitch, in place of the limping Ojo, and received a standing ovation from the 14,000 plus crowd.
Saints hadn’t read the script (which involved the young Mr Catt leading a glorious comeback and securing the win with a last-kick drop goal) and a second try from Jon Clarke and conversion from Myler made the final score London Irish 7-31 Northampton Saints.
But the day wasn’t about the result, it was about the goodbyes. The London Irish family said farewell to some great players in Mike Catt, Peter Hewat, Pete Richards, Andy Perry, Danie Coetzee, John Rudd and (according to the match-day programme) Charlie Gower. I would like to say a huge thank you to all these players and wish them the very best for the future.
Auf Wiedersehen Pete
Posted by: The Craic www.londonirish.org (IP Logged)
Date: 16/05/2010 18:32
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Re: Auf Wiedersehen Pete
Posted by: Props are not stupid (IP Logged)
Date: 17/05/2010 00:34
Great title. Well done, CC.
Re: Auf Wiedersehen Pete
Posted by: Foggy-Balla (IP Logged)
Date: 17/05/2010 09:28
And the prize for the most graon-inducing pun of the season goes to CreamCraicer. I'm going to need to up my game...
Faugh-a-Ballagh!
"Our prayer is 'God save Ireland' and pour blessings on her name!"
Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum
Faugh-a-Ballagh!
"Our prayer is 'God save Ireland' and pour blessings on her name!"
Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum
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