Close call...
League match - London Irish A vs Cobham B
7 February 2010
After weeks of holidays, cancelled matches and conditions unsuitable even for training, it was a slightly ring-rusty Cobham side that turned out to play London Irish in the League. It was also touch-and-go whether there would be 15 fit players to take the field, but all was well and only one of the squad of 17 was actually carrying an injury at the start of the game
The day was cold and grey, but dry. The pitch was in extremely good condition, thanks to there being no floodlights thus limiting the amount of play on it during the winter months
Cobham started very brightly and were camped in the London Irish 22 for the first 5 minutes, only to find themselves in the reverse position for the next 5! An excellent clearance kick relieved the pressure
This set the scene for the match, in which both sides were prepared to play their hearts out ... and play wide. This was particularly to Cobham’s advantage because it avoided the very strong London Irish pack
The end-to-end pattern of play continued, with Cobham working their way back into the Irish 22, only to concede a penalty for Irish to escape. Eventually, Cobham’s ambition paid off and with the backs sweeping first to the right and then back to the left side of the pitch, Barnaby Brien scored in the corner. Eddie Jones narrowly missed the conversion to make the score 0-5
From the restart, which didn’t go 10 metres, Irish took the scrum against the head. This was a ominous warning of their forwards’ strength in the set piece, which played a big part later in the game. Cobham’s line-outs were very secure and they won good turnover ball in the first half, but as the game progressed the strength of the Irish forwards came through (more of which later)
Over-enthusiasm by one or two Cobham players led to a series of penalties and additional 10 metres being awarded against our lads by the referee, and he had to have words with the captain. However, Irish were unable to capitalise on the attacking position even at the second time of asking. Finally, Cobham were awarded two penalties of their own in quick succession, and got into the Irish half
The backs were forcefully encouraged by coach, Steve Heard, to spread the ball wide, because that was the most promising route on a cold, dry day. However, cold hands, and the lack of match practice, made passing unpredictable at times
But when it all clicked, and Cobham avoided the Irish forwards, it led to a beautifully executed try from Matt Jones, who streaked through a gap, sold the defender a dummy and scored under the posts. The try was converted by Eddie Jones and the score stood at 0-12 at half time
From the start of the second half, Irish showed that they weren’t prepared to concede the game. They scored in the left corner to make it 5-12, and failed with the conversion. However, a few minutes later, after Cobham stole an Irish line-out and were awarded two penalties in quick succession, Eddie Jones took a penalty in front of the posts and made the score 5-15.
Cobham had breathing space again!
However, the strength of the Irish forwards was starting to take its toll. As the game progressed, with their paucity of reserves, Cobham’s First Aid officer stoically ignored any injured Cobham players; supporters encouraged the players to remember the words of the Black Knight in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” when he lost an arm – “It’s only a flesh wound!”
Cobham found themselves defending ferocious Irish attacks, with Irish being awarded a series of 5 metre scrums and close-quarters penalties. Eventually, one of these led to a try for Irish from short range; this was successfully converted so the score stood at 12-15
Neither side was prepared to give up. An Irish try was not allowed because the referee had impeded a defending Cobham player. As Irish attacked again, though, great defence by Cobham and a fumble by an Irish three-quarter gave Joe Cooper the chance to open his legs and show us his talent (as the Bishop said to the Actress!). He sprinted 85 metres up the pitch and scored under the Irish posts. Eddie Jones converted once again, to make the score 12-22
The remainder of the match was largely a story of heroic defence by Cobham. With Irish controlling the scrums, quality Cobham ball from the set-piece was hard to come by. Cobham spent much of the second half in their own 22, with few real opportunities to break out, and Irish scored a goal to make it 17-22 with five minutes remaining
When, with two minutes to go, Cobham conceded a penalty just outside their 22 and Irish scored another goal, the score was 24-22. That is how it ended. It was an heroic effort by the Cobham lads, who played their hearts out but were just unable to hang onto their lead.
