In short, all to play for.

Kick-off: 1500 hrs Saturday 23rd April 2011

The BBC reported the following line ups as part of their website pre-match coverage: -

London Irish: D Armitage; Ojo, Seveali'i, Mapusua, Homer; Bowden, Hodgson; Dermody, Paice, Rautenbach, Kennedy, Casey, Gibson, S Armitage, Stowers.

Replacements: Buckland, Lahiff, Ion, Johnson, Thorpe, Joseph, Malone, Allinson.

Northampton Saints: Foden; Ashton, Clarke, Downey, Diggin; Myler, Dickson; Tonga'uiha, Hartley, Mujati, Lawes, Day, Clark, Dowson, Wilson.

Replacements: Sharman, Waller, Mercey, Sorenson, Easter, Commins, Geraghty, Ansbro.

Prior to the game, Aviva Premiership stats show: -

Northampton Saints in 4th place on 57 points London Irish in 5th place on 53 points.

In short, all to play for.

This afternoon’s match referee was Mr. David Rose.

London Irish kicked off on what looked a very hot and sunny afternoon at the Madejski.

Couple of early penalties which neither side converted.

Dan Bowden put in a couple of very fine high hanging kicks that tested the Saints’ defence. 17 mins played and Tom Homer made a superb break up to the Saint’s 22. Saints’ did really well and was ‘turnover ball’. What followed was piece of sheer class, started and finished by Chris Ashton, before you could blink Saints are 7 points up.

On the 26th and 29th mins Tom Homer converted to two penalties to bring London Irish back to within one point.

On 31st mins Stephen Myler converted a penalty and a few minutes later Tom Homer hit the post with his effort. London Irish 6 – Northampton Saints 10.

On 36 mins Stephen Myler kicks his penalty kick down the line to secure a decent attacking platform for Saints. This follows with a great turnover by Steffon Armitage and really good kick from Delon Armitage to relieve the pressure.

On 38 mins Saints are warded a penalty (for hands in the ruck) which Stephen Myler duly converts.


Half time score: London Irish 6 – Northampton Saints 13.


Couple of thoughts at half time. Firstly, only one scrum in that half that London Irish looked in all sorts of difficulty with and secondly that Saints look the better side yet seem to be playing well within themselves.

Northampton Saints start the second half.

43 mins gone and Topsy Ojo was a whisker from an intercept.

44 mins a scrum to Saints followed by a penalty. Saints were looking to dominate there and Stephen Myler elected to kick the ball down the line. London Irish saw off that particular phase of pressure.

49 mins and Chris Ashton again showed his superb footballing skills with very clever kick that had the pressure right back on London Irish again.

50 mins penalty by Stephen Myler and London Irish trailed by 6 – 16.

54 mins and Saints produced a very strong maul; things were looking a little ominous, Saints wanted to put this game away.

57 mins and London Irish produce a decent piece of a play but didn’t fully control the ball. Dylan Hartley hacked on and Chris Ashton was in again. Stephen Myler converted the try and score was London Irish 6 – Northampton Saints 23.

Jim Mallender and co made a very brave call and changed the entire Saints’ front row (there was over a quarter of the game to go but they must have had one eye on Perpignan).

64 mins Richard Thorpe (on for George Stowers) scored from a pick and go off the base of a wheeling scrum, which Tom Homer duly converted. London Irish 13 – Northampton Saints 23.

68 mins, a terrific break by Topsy Ojo which lead to quick ball for Dan Dowden, who in turn put in Seilala Mapusua, fittingly for a try on his last home appearance for London Irish. Tom Homer converted and score was London Irish 20 – Northampton Saints 23 with just over 10 minutes to play.

Stephen Myler put in a couple of very decent kicks that had taken the pressure off Saints and moved London Irish right back in their own half.

72 mins Saints were awarded a penalty for a line-out infringement which Stephen Myler duly converted, London Irish 20 – Northampton Saints 26.

Around the 75 mins mark (from London Irish perspective) were the seminal moments of the game.

Firstly, good work from London Irish close to the Saints’ try line, ball to Topsy Ojo who has two players outside him but backs himself and is stopped by Chris Ashton. Steffon Armitage looked furious.

Secondly, when you needed the renowned London Irish line-out to function and produce good quality ball, the two following London Irish line-outs were won by Saints.

Couple of minutes left and the Northampton Saints’ pack played keep ball and that was that.

Final score London Irish 20 – Northampton Saints 26.

Congratulations and credit to Northampton Saints, they were very worthy winners and London Irish did secure a losing point, which hopefully takes us a step closer to securing qualification for next season’s Heineken Cup.

The last home game of the season is a poignant time for all. London Irish and their supporters bid farewell to players who are retiring or simply moving on to pastures new.

To all those players who have played/been involved in their last home game for London Irish at the Madejski; many thanks, best wishes and good luck.