Farrell puts boot into Exiles at Marmite fixture

And so to the new season at HQ – the annual event which arouses more debate than any other “home” fixture. Pre-match discussion inevitably revolved around the changes of personnel in the Exiles line-up and the strength of the Sarries’ squad. Fair to say that even the most optimistic of Irish supporters could foresee only one result – and the match was all about restoring some pride in club colours after the debacle 12 months previously.

The ground was only partially filled as time for kick-off drew near, with many Wasps and Quins supporters preferring to wine and dine in the car parks. Tomas led out the team, after the familiar voice of Caimh had announced the teams, and the usual entry music. Early play in the sunshine saw Irish concede a penalty to the opposition in their half, and subsequent pick and go by the forwards eventually a cross-field kick released Strettle on the wing who was unlucky not to break away. Within the first 5 minutes Irish were penalised for not rolling away and Farrell duly slotted home the penalty from about 30 yards. A series of promising phases of play ended with the first scrum of the day – which had to be promptly reset! Sarries conceded the free kick for early engagement but any advantage was quickly negated by turnover ball. Then on 9 minutes from a line out 5 yards out Sarries drove and released Jamie George who crossed the line for the try, also converted. 10 points down in 10 minutes and visions of last year started to creep into the mind.

Irish then countered and were only let down by poor handling as they attacked down the left flank. On 13min the first score to Irish came from iHumph and the kicking tee so 3-10. Glimpses of attacking play were becoming apparent but the blitz defence was frustrating the team’s best efforts, and Sarries seemed more alert to the breakdowns. A solid scrum on 21 min saw Fisher break away and make good yards out of the half. Referee Garner then penalised Sarries for a fed scrum and Irish were unlucky that iHumph’s long kick failed to find touch in the corner. Topsy Ojo then showed great skill in breaking down the left side of the pitch, shrugging off tackles from the retreating defenders. Farrell’s fine kick to touch into the 22 set up an attack and Irish infringed to concede another penalty, duly and safely kicked over: 28min and 3-13. More attacking from Sarries saw them cross the line but Bryn Evans was superbly placed to hold the ball up on 32min. The resulting 5m scrum was collapsed (penalty) and then another penalty was given away as the Irish line was perilously near. Miraculously the ball emerged on the Irish side and was cleared upfield. Relief was short-lived though as Wigglesworth released Jamie George after a lineout who had a clear run to the line. The conversion was missed so 36min and 3-18. To their credit Irish hit back immediately with Kieron Lowe bursting through to touch down beside the right hand post after David Paice’s delightful offload. Unfortunately that was not the last score of the half, as Irish were once more penalised for holding on in their own 22, and Farrell added another 3 points to make it 10-21 at half time.

The consensus at half time was that Irish were too often on the back foot and unable to cope with Sarries’ well organised and drilled defence, but that there had also been some promising signs in attack. The overhead camera was not popular, proving a major distraction/irritation as it swooped up and down above the play.

And so onto the second half with a penalty conceded almost immediately for failing to roll away and Farrell was able to add the points via the upright from about 40m. Then a turnover, kick upfield and chase by Topsy was called back for offside as he was marginally ahead of Tomas’ well placed clearance. Fortunately Mr Farrell was unable to put the kick over. Topsy then showed great pace to charge down Farrell’s attempted clearance in the 22. A promising break by Yarde after a clever kick through came to nothing and Sarries were back on the front foot with a penalty (10th) from another collapsed scrum, quickly followed by another for side entry by the forwards. From distance Farrell took the score to 10-27 at 51min.

Scrum replacements for Sarries were accompanied by Chris H replacing john Fisher, and Halavatau replacing Carr in the front row. Sarries continued to threaten with several phases moving beyond the game line. Irish then launched a promising attack involving Ojo and Yarde who made several yards down the touchline. Hopes were raised on 59min with an attacking scrum well inside the 22 for Irish but Sarries won the penalty. Exciting counter-attacking from Yarde set up a penalty on 62min which saw the score at 13-27. Failure to keep possession from the restart eventually resulted in another converted try by Vunipolu after several phases of Sarries’ attack, so 13-34 with just 15min to go. An indiscretion by Matt Stevens gave renewed hope to Irish when he was dispatched to the “naughty step” for 10 minutes for lazily taking out iHumph as he chipped ahead. Danaher and Yapp joined the game at 68min. The backs linked well on 69min, and Chris H’s great offload to Marlande (just recovered from treatment) who showed great skill and pace to score (20-34). Within 3 minutes Farrell extended the lead to 17points and his personal tally of 22, as Irish came off their feet at the breakdown. Armitage, Paice and O’Leary were then substituted by Allinson, Stevens and Geraghty with the team trying to break through the determined defence. With 2 minutes to go Irish found themselves within 5m of the line but their attacking lineout was stolen and the danger passed. In the last attacks of the game Sarries chose to run each of their 2 penalties with the clock on 80 minutes and, courtesy of the TMO, Chris Ashton was credited with the bonus point try. Farrell narrowly missed the conversion so final score 42-20

Reflecting on the game most supporters agreed that there were encouraging signs for the long season ahead, though the issues of the number of penalties conceded and the re-starts will need addressing. At least it was a marked improvement on the abject showing at the same venue and against the same opposition in 2012.