The Greatest Ever London Irish Victories
By Big-Al
June 4 2014
Taking inspiration from a rather good book I read a while back - The 100 Greatest Watford Wins* (which lists and details Watford Football Club's 100 greatest and most enjoyable post war victories) - I got to thinking back on some of the great moments I have enjoyed watching London Irish over the years and wondering which of our victories others think have been the best.
What makes a victory great is down to individual perspective, be it a great display of running rugby, a dogged defensive effort, the unexpected against the odds victory for the underdogs, the significance or the victory, snatching a last grasp victory from the jaws of defeat, the craic before, during or after the match, whatever made it special and memorable for you.
I have heard many tales of great afternoons on the pitch and great nights in the bar back in the Sunbury days, some stories from our European adventures which seem a little unbelievable (even though in some cases I was there) and there have been many a memorable victory both home and away during the MadStad era.
So which do you think are London Irish's greatest, most memorable and/or most important victories?
Just a couple of rules – please stick to matches we won – so actual victories not moral victories; and please write a little bit about the match – why it was significant and any details you have of the match, the day/night/weekend. Don’t worry if someone else has selected the same match as you, it is always good to get more than one view, and no limit to the number of matches you write about.
To start things off, here are a few of my favourites:
London Irish 27, Saracens 22 - 2nd September 2000:
This was my first London Irish match and also our first home match at the MadStad. Prior to this game I had only attended a handful of rugby matches (a couple of Richmond games when they played at the MadStad and a few Leicester games way back when I was a student), but the sport had not really grabbed me. However there was something about the atmosphere of my first London Irish match that appealed to me. My abiding memory of the match (the accuracy of which may have been distorted by time and Guinness) is that we were under pressure during the first half, I don't recall how long had been played, but I think we were still in the first quarter - the ball broke to Paul Sackey who ran the length of the field to score - which is the moment I became hooked on rugby in general and London Irish in particular.
I don't recall too much detail about the rest of the match other than we won. The stats tell me the Kieron Dawson also got a try that day and 17 points came from Jarrod Cunningham's boot.
This match was significant for me as it was my first ever London Irish match, and significant for the club as it opened the MadStad era with a victory.
London Irish 38, Northampton Saints 7 – PowerGen Cup Final, 20th April 2002:
Only my second season as a London Irish supporter and we have a cup final to enjoy. I travelled up to Twickers by train with a few friends (not serious rugby supporters, but they had decided they wanted tickets for the final after consuming a gallon of Guinness each at the Paddy’s day match).
Northampton were the favourites, with many an expert taking the view that we were only there to make up the numbers – but there is nothing we like better than being underdogs. On a gloriously warm and sunny spring day, perfect for running rugby, it was to be London Irish who did all the running – my main memory of the match was sitting (or standing for a fair bit of the time) in the sun, with a Guinness or 2 and watching London Irish running riot, every few minutes we seemed to get another try. It was 5 tries in total - Geoff Appleford was the first to cross the whitewash, Michael Horak followed a few minutes later, a penalty from Barry Everitt and a try from Justin Bishop gave us a 24-0 half time lead. Although Northampton pulled one try back in the second half, they never looked like getting back into contention and both Geoff and Justin scored their second tries of the match – all 5 tries were successfully converted by Barry – full time 38-7.
I recall heading into Richmond after the match for further refreshments – but after that things are a bit hazy – there was a pub by the river, food was eaten at some point and I must have made it onto one of the late trains back to Reading.
Harlequins 0, London Irish 17 – Premiership Semi-Final, 9th May 2009:
We finished 3rd in the Premiership table and Harlequins were 2nd, so it was off to the Stoop for the semi-final – my first memory of this match was getting hold of a ticket – being sat at home (supposedly working from home!!) with both the landline and the mobile, hitting re-dial for what seemed like an age, before eventually getting through.
We had been allocated the South stand at the Stoop and the atmosphere in that stand was something special. The first half was all about missed penalties – with neither side taking their chances, so it was 0-0 at the break.
Early in the second half there was finally a successful kick, Delon Armitage putting Irish ahead, and then James Hudson runs a great line to score our first try under the posts. And with time running out, Quins try to run the ball out of their 22, Mike Catt intercepts and we are in the Premiership Final.
I do not recall what I did post-match other than savouring the occasion at the Stoop for a while – but I’m sure a drink or 2 must have been consumed.
Oh yes, I should also mention – Quins scored NIL
Racing Metro 14, London Irish 34 - 10th December 2011:
How many times have we returned from our European adventures saying "great weekend - shame about the rugby", so it makes a refreshing change to have an unexpectedly good performance and convincing victory as part of a great weekend.
A group of us travelled out by EuroStar on the morning of the match, meaning a very early start to the day - I'm sure there were more people on the silly o'clock in the morning train from Reading to Paddington who were just ending their Friday rather than starting their Saturday. Once on the EuroStar we could relax and enjoy the weekend - and 7:30 in the morning is not too early to open a bottle or 2 (or 3 or 4) of fortified fizzy grape juice. A group booking on EuroStar not only gave us a very reasonably priced journey, but also ensured a lot of good company for the trip. The early start allowed good time to check into hotels and find lunch before heading to the stadium.
Racing struck first, and led 14-3 mid-way through the first half. A try from Jonathan Spratt brought it back to 14-10 before half time and second half tries from Joe Ansbro and Adam Thompstone (twice) gave us a 14-34 victory. There then followed celebrations on the pitch and around Paris for the rest of the evening.
And we had a good amount of time for some sightseeing on the Sunday, including getting the obligatory photo taken with the Eiffel Tower in the background. And then a late afternoon EuroStar home.
Our Heineken Cup campaign had started with disappointing defeats at home to Edinburgh and away to Cardiff, so a good victory was required to get us back on track. Pity we then went on to lose the home match!!
* To keep this thread on topic - the obvious comments are:
"Have Watford had 100 wins" or "100 post war victories – you must mean the Boer war"
Footnote:
Anyone wanting to add their own to this list please do give it some thought and then email yours to editors@londonirish.org and we'll collate them as a story.
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This ranks as one of the best for me.
Big Bob coming on at half time and rallying the players.
I remember one lineout he stole on our own 5 and he wasn't even lifted.
Great day
I'd only add the win at home over Munster in the Heineken Cup in 2010. We've never been the same since and went on a 10 game losing bounce after it but it was an incredible win and a cracking night
Although it was less important than either the Powergen final or the Premiership semi, I'd have to include the try fest at Wasps in any top 10, although I only watched it on telly.
Leinster 9 London Irish 12 - 9th October 2009
We beat the then European Champions in their own back yard. what a night.
Not only was it a great win but the game itself was so intense with Leinster throwing everything at us throughout the second half.
Players concerned Tom Homer on the Right wing and (I think) Losi on the left.
Maybe not a classic win but easily the best atmosphere at the Madstad for an LI game. A sea of green flags that were handed out with the odd splattering of yellow & red.
I'd add 10 May 2003 LI 41 Bristol 21
The nightmare of being I think 13-0 down in the relegation decider turning to the joy of a thumping victory and safety...
[www.rugbynetwork.net]
[www.rfu.com]
Strange set of circumstances. A win guaranteed either side a reprieve from relegation and losing BP would also suffice for Bristol Shoguns, regardless of how Bath fared.
LI won 41 - 21. LI stayed up, news in from the Bath game (they won) meant Bristol Shoguns were relegated.
A tense day would be an understatement.
26-0 up at half time, 26-27 down with 5 to go then 2 Barry specials to make it 32-27 & a trip over the road.
So good they someone should write a song about it
Must have been the strongest gale ever at the Stoop and Bazza and Paul Burke were both 100% from memory - a really bizarre game.
Can anyone kindly validate that? Apologies all, I'm not good with past stats. Think that's right though.
In spite of what my "friends" from Queens would say, I just can't recall who got relegated that day......... (Hahahahaha!)
Quote:Ken E
Well, I'd like to propose the last game of the season 2004/5, against Newcastle. OK, technically we didn't win the game on points (Newcastle managed to score 23 against our 16 - JW kicked 18 points and was happy to chat with me over an hour after the game had finished and all his team mates were showered, changed and in the bar) but we did win the right to stay in the premiership because the other results went our way.
In spite of what my "friends" from Queens would say, I just can't recall who got relegated that day......... (Hahahahaha!)
I'd go along with that one too Ken. What a fantastic day we all had up in Newcastle. It certainly felt like we had won at the end of the match when the Quins result came through and we knew we were staying up.
My other two have to be what I refer to as "THE WASPS MATCH" April 30th 2006, Wasps 37 - LI 56 and the semi Quins 0 - LI 17.Both wonderful occasions with a huge amount of post match celebrations.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:06:05:07:55:38 by b.q.f.m.
Quote:LLL
In a desperate relegation scenario (yep, again) we beat Leicester 20-19 at Leicester. Stunning.
Can anyone kindly validate that? Apologies all, I'm not good with past stats. Think that's right though.
It was 3rd May 2003. It wa actually the last but one game. I didn't go but remember it well becuase there was a massive fund raising event for Jarrod Cunningham at the Grosvenor Hotel, where I persuaded Terry Wogan to join LISC.... But the result, meaning we were safe from relegation, made the evening go with a swing!
I would definitely support the Stoop SF as I cannot remember being more elated at the end if any game, win lose or draw (but I am a Johnny-come-lately so missed relegation games & cup finals)
Leinster away in the HEC was pretty sweet as they hadn't been beaten there for a while (IIRC) and it was my wife's (then girlfriend / fiancée if you believe the Scoobies getting lairy on the karaoke mic' post match!) first tour
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:06:05:09:10:41 by exile_pete.
We weren't safe as we still had to beat Bristol the following week (see above).
Quote:Shawshank
Ken - you must have celebrated a week early back in 2003...!
We weren't safe as we still had to beat Bristol the following week (see above).
Yes, you are technically correct, but without beating Tigers we would have been relegated irrespective of the result against Bristol. This win gave us the chance to stay up.
Anyway, I'm sure the EDs saw this as a way of generating stories throughout the close season to keep the board on line ...... Sadly my favourite game doesn't qualify.
But I'd agree that the Tigers win must have given huge self-belief to the squad going into the Bristol match...
London Irish 62 (27) – 14 (7) Harlequins
LI’s biggest ever League win (still, I think) and Quins’ biggest League defeat of that season.
Revenge for LI coach Dick Best, who was sacked by Quins coach the season before and for whom it was his first home match in charge of LI.
A lovely sunny spring afternoon.
A rampant Irish, roared on by a huge crowd at Sunbury (about 7,000…!!!), ran in eight tries and were completely unstoppable. Bishop scored a hat trick, Niall Woods scored two tres, two penalties and all eight conversions for 32 points! We enjoyed chanting “we want fifty!” and even more “… sixty” and still more “… seventy!”… After the game, there was drink taken…
The teams that day bear repeating:
London Irish: Conor O’Shea ©, Justin Bishop, Brendan Venter, Mark McCall, Niall Woods, David Humphreys, Peter Richards; Justin Fitzpatrick, Rob Kellam, Nick Harvey, Malcolm O’Kelly, Kevin Spicer, Kieron Dawson, Zak Feau’nati.
Replacements: Niall Hogan, Matthew Morahan, Sean Burns, Liam Mooney, Tony Redmond, Ciaran Bird.
Harlequins: Scott Stewart, Daren O’Leary, Johnny Ngaumo, Peter Mensah, Dan Luger, Thierry Lacroix, Nick Walshe; Jason Leonard, Tom Billups, Ricky Nebbett, Gareth Llewellyn, Bill Davison ©, Rory Jenkins, Adam Leach, Chris Sheasby.
Replacements: Jason Keyter, Laurent Cabannes, Tim Collier, Huw Harries, Massimo Cuttitta, Altan Ozdemir
Scorers:
London Irish Tries: Bishop 3, Hogan, O’Kelly, O’Shea, Woods 2. Cons: Woods 8. Pens: Woods 2.
Harlequins: Tries: Keyter, Penalty try. Cons: Lacroix, Walshe.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:06:05:10:26:02 by AlecW.
The Leinster match was just that, and has my vote, although not that of my liver which is probably still recovering from a historic night.
We weren't expected to win, and I seem to recall that Ryan Lamb came on after 60 and kicked two 45m penalties to win it. Even his most harsh LI critic loved him for that
Quote:Ken E
Anyway, I'm sure the EDs saw this as a way of generating stories throughout the close season to keep the board on line ...... Sadly my favourite game doesn't qualify.
Fair point there, Ken, I hadn't seent the footnote in Al's story
Quote:Anyone wanting to add their own to this list please do give it some thought and then email yours to 'editors@londonirish.org' and we'll collate them as a story.
Perhaps you could submit a Greatest LI Draws & Losses story to them, starting off with yours
I think the drink you took on the day of the great 62 - 17 victory is affecting your memory or the boys on the pitch that day are deserving of even greater praise because unless I'm unable to count to 15 they played with only 14 men.
London Irish: Conor O’Shea ©, Justin Bishop, Brendan Venter, Mark McCall, Niall Woods, David Humphreys, Peter Richards; Justin Fitzpatrick, Rob Kellam, Nick Harvey, Malcolm O’Kelly, Kevin Spicer, Kieron Dawson, Zak Feau’nati.
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A more prosaic reading of your post could be that another name should be added to the front row. How could you forget Gary Halpin?
I never do anything that Al tells me!
One game that really stands out for me though was the match at home to Sale in October 08. It was a Tuesday night game for some reason (I think - definitely midweek) and Sale arrived top of the league and favourites to win the whole thing. We absolutely annihilated them - it was a joy to watch. A similar thing happened a few months later when Glos arrived as the top side in the league and we absolutely smashed them. Those two games stand out for me as representing a period when I felt we were invincible at the Madstad. Good times!
Also enjoyed the away win at Brive a few years ago too, freezing cold night and a great atmosphere
BBC report
Cheers & Beers
BB
NEWCASTLE in the dark and rain and NEAL Hatley comes off the bench to score a try in the corner - yes memories - thank you everyone on the planes,trains and coaches.......
MWM
LONDON IRISH - and loving it......
LET'S GO IRISH....LET'S GO IRISH
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[www.google.co.uk]Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:06:08:10:33:10 by CoAntrimExile.
Quote:CoAntrimExile
and to Paul Hodgson for THAT try-saving tackle!!!!
I think that was probably the best and most courageous defending I've ever seen from a scrum- half!