The Cunningham Duncombe Series - The Stoop. Friday 25/9/15

The evening was quite poignant even though I was looking forward to the start of the real rugby season. When I entered the ground and looked and the Nick Duncombe memorial, I noticed that he passed away aged 21. A tragic loss at such a young age and my thoughts are with his family and friends as I write this. I also noticed some of our fans were wearing the Jarrod Cunningham tribute t-shirts, which was a nice thought. They featured large JC yellow letters on a green background. Conor O’Shea also wore one of these shirts which was a classy gesture from a classy manager.

The match started with a immediate switch of our hookers with Jimmy Stevens coming on for Tom Cruise. This was a portent of things to come.

After an exchange of penalties, Quins exerted pressure, Horwill scored and Bottica converted after 6 mins- 7-0. Irish came back and Lewington almost scored but for a forward pass.

On 13 minutes, LI stole a Quins line-out. Fowl, Lewis-Pratt and Lexington put together a great attack and once again nearly scored. This time the ref pronounced judgement and Luke Wallace was sent to the sin-bin.

Two minutes later Narraway managed to score but no conversion so 7-5 to Quins.

Quins then set up tent out on our try-line and Stevens sent to the sin-bin, after a penalty is conceded. On 25 minutes Bottica scored and converted to extend the lead 14-5. A concern here as Quins still down to 14 men. However Fowlie goes on another great run into Quins 22.

After further pressure in the first half, we are given a free kick after a scrum in the Quins half. From this play, Lewington scores but no conversion ( 14-10 to Quins). The half ends with Quins pressure and Griffin sent to the sin-bin. That makes three yellow cards and my worry is that the referee will turn into a traffic light. Its a shame as both sides are playing running rugby. Bottica gets the penalty to extend the lead 17-10.

The second half started with some substitutions and there were many more. I will not list them all here but surfice to say I had writers cramp. Interesting to see Adam Jones come on for Quins. Ironic considering all the discussions about team selection for the match over the road tomorrow.

Quins had a lot of possession and territory at the start of the second half. Several passes changed hands and Charlie Walker scored for Quins. Bottica converted and the score was 22-10.

The next few minutes were broken up with substitutions. However on 56 mins Quins were penalised for pulling down the scrum and Li kicked for the line-out, a good rolling maul followed and Lewington burst through for another try. Brophy-Clews converted and the score was 22-17 to Quins.

The man with no number Tim Swiel came on - however he burst though our defence at speed and fortunately his pass was not caught. Then after their rolling maul, scuffles broke out over holiday postcards not received, but no penalties conceded by LI thank goodness.

Further substitutions followed, including Topsy Ojo which was well received. Quins put us under more pressure which was relieved by a penalty for playing the ball on the floor.

Symons was then taken off with a minor rib injury and Skivington came back on. The rest of the game was punctuated by penalties and substitutions, although Irish managed some attacking play as well as resisting further scores in their own 22. Despite the result our backs showed some good possession and speed to set up a close conclusion next week.

London Irish team:
15. Christian Lewis-Pratt; 14. Alex Lewington; 13.Tom Fowlie; 12.Eoin Griffin; 11. Andrew Fenby; 10. Shane Geraghty; 9.Brendan McKibbin; 1. Tom Smallbone; 2.Tom Cruise; 3.Geoff Cross; 4. Eoin Sheriff; 5. George Skivington ©; 6. Luke Narraway; 7. Conor Gilsenan; 8. David Sisi

Replacements:
16. Jimmy Stevens; 17. Johnny Harris; 18. Richard Palframan; 19. Matt Symons; 20. Ollie Curry; 21. Scott Steele; 22. Theo Brophy-Clews; 23. Topsy Ojo; 24.Gerard Ellis; 25.Harry Elrington; 26. Darren Allinson; 27. Ross Neal; 28. Johnny Williams; 29: Fergus Mulchrone
30 : Chris Noakes.

Quins team :

15 Ollie Lindsay-Hague;14 Marland Yarde; 13 Matt Hopper; 12 Winston Stanley; 11 Charlie Walker; 10 Ben Botica; 9 Karl Dickson; 1 Owen Evans; 2 Joe Gray; 3 Kyle Sinckler; 4 James Horwill; 5 Sam Twomey ;6 Jack Clifford ©; 7 Luke Wallace;8 Nick Easter;

Replacements :16 Dave Ward; 17 Mark Lambert; 18 Adam Jones; 19 Kieran Treadwell; 20 James Chisholm; 21 Tito Tebaldi; 22 Nick Evans;
23 Harry Sloan;
24 Mat Luamanu;
25 George Lowe;
__ Tim Swiel, I am not a number, I am a free man.

Referee: Dean Richards.