A Tale of Two Kickers

‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way’ (Dickens)

It had been the best of times as we had enjoyed a good weekend, seeing SamR43 in his new flat ‘up North’ and enjoying the sea breezes at South Shields before heading to the Twin Farms for lunch. Was it going to turn into the ‘worst of times’ with another loss at Newcastle – it is such a long drive home after a loss. Some of us went in belief that the boys would win in our new season of light, our spring of hope from a stronger pack, but some of us were wondering if we were heading towards a winter of despair, despite the relatively warm weather and the shiny green plastic pitch which had replaced the muddy field.

When the stadium announcer asked for some noise from the Irish support , there was a good response – certainly far more than for the LV game the previous season.  Where we were, there was a good representation of the Irish family on the terracing supporting those on the pitch, after all  “Family not only need to consist of merely those whom we share blood, but also for those whom we'd give blood.” (Dickens).

Shane took the kick off and to start with both sides slipped a bit on the pitch but this seemed to reduce as the game went on. Irish conceded their first penalty from a maul but Socino (the Falcons 12 who was kicking) missed. Despite a good break by Andy Fenby the first score would be to Falcons. There was a second penalty against us from a maul which was kicked to touch and from the resultant maul there was a pushover try scored by Josh Furno. I seem to recollect that Irish had been rumoured to be looking at him earlier in the year but now he was scoring for Falcons. The conversion was missed.  Now missed kicks had helped us last week to gain a losing bonus point but would this be the same this week, after all “It's in vain to recall the past, unless it works some influence upon the present.” (Dickens). 

 David Paice had to go off for a concussion test  - he returned soon after to continue his 200th appearance for Irish.  If he had thought on his first appearance   “Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show. (Dickens)”, then the pages of the Craic will certainly show he is a hero for Irish supporters.  

Not long after David’s return, Irish won a penalty (Falcons holding on) and Shane made it 5-3.  One penalty at the scrum went to Falcons and the next went to us – does anyone really understand what is going on in scrums despite Corbs’ explanations on Rugby Tonight the previous week?  Although Irish seemed to go side to side too much in open play, the next penalty was to us at a scrum.  People around me were commenting on how it was so unusual to be looking forward to a scrum. In fact they were saying, “Please Sir, I want some more”. (Dickens) 

In the remainder of the half there were two kicks at goal – Shane got his and Socino missed his. Irish supporters were saying that if we got to half time ahead we would not deserve it, but with a score of 5-6, we did. We had gone 120 minutes this season without a try and Welsh had got a try bonus at

Bath – was this bad news? We were ahead largely due to missed kicks – you do have to feel  a little sorry for the kicker on days like this but Socino has a good track record and hopefully he will have that success again (apart from the return match), remembering that  “I must be taken as I have been made. The success is not mine, the failure is not mine, but the two together make me.” (Dickens)

The second half began well with a scrum penalty to Irish.  Shane lined up the ball but it fell off the tee. It was held for him but the kick was not successful – we had lost last season here in the Premiership when the ball had been blown off the tee for Shane – would it cost us again? Following a tap and go penalty, the ball was moved through the hands and Fergus scored, which with Shane’s conversion made the score 5-13.  Tom Court, who seemed to have been very good for us in the scrum was carded for (I think) a pull back but the penalty kick was missed. The next penalty Falcons got, was kicked to touch.  Mr Small (Sir for the day) went over in the corner but unfortunately so did Wilson for Falcons making the score (conversion missed) 10 -13. Despite the missed kicks, Falcons were certainly still in the match, no doubt thinking “Consider nothing impossible, then treat possiblities as probabilities.” (Dickens)

The next score was from Andy Fenby after a break down the wing, which after some deliberation by the TMO was awarded and with Shane’s successful kick made the score 10-20. Fenby had seemed to manage the high ball too so was looking a good full back option for us.  Then Socino got his only successful kick – Halani had been down and as he rather dazedly was sent back towards his place, he was called offside, so the score was 13-20. A number of subs were made around this point including Geoff Cross for Halani, Kieran for Dan Leo, Luke Narraway for Trev.  and Eamonn for Shane.  There were certainly some protests from Shane about coming off but I guess with all the data the off pitch team have available to them, “There is a wisdom of the head, and... there is a wisdom of the heart.”  (Dickens)

A penalty was awarded to Falcons for a high tackle which they kicked to touch and Sinoti went over to make the score 18-20.  Perhaps the hardest kick Socino took, just bounced off the post.  With time almost up, I was convinced they would get a penalty and (against the odds) kick it to win.  It was a very nervy few minutes and I know why people who only know me away from rugby say how calm I am and how nothing stresses me – it’s because I have done all the stressing at Irish!  In my stress filled few minutes  about us losing I know it was true that “I had considered how the things that never happen, are often as much realities to us, in their effects, as those that are accomplished.” (Dickens)

Finally Irish won a penalty and kicked the ball out – we had won at Kingston Park for the first time in four years. As the first win of the new season, I remembered how great it is to win, especially when it is very close. Hopefully there will be more of these feelings again this season (perhaps without the need for it to be quite so close!) After all “Happiness is a gift and the trick is not to expect it, but to delight in it when it comes.” (Dickens)