Forwards Forge Foundation for First Win of Season

Forwards Forge Foundation for First Win of Season

'An outstanding performed by our forwards' laid the foundation for London Irish's first home win of the season at Madejski Stadium this afternoon according to the Exiles' Director of Rugby.

Brian Smith was unstinting in his praise for a pack which outplayed the Newcastle forwards in both scrums and lineouts. A much sterner challenge was expected from the Falcons team that registered a comprehensive win over Sale in last weekend's opening round of Guinness Premiership fixtures.

The return of Bob Casey played a key role in a much more controlled display by the Exiles' pack that dominated the set pieces for three-quarters of the game. The big man's physical presence and leadership galvanised the team. Nick Kennedy in his 101st appearance, dominated the lineout, and 22-year-old Dan Murphy had a big impact in his first senior start at loose head prop.

Another indication that it was the forwards' day was the selection of Faan Rautenbach as 'Man of the Match'. The former South Africa international capped one of his best displays for Irish with his side's opening try of the game.

Shane Geraghty was another to make a welcome return to match action having spent much of the summer recovering from a hamstring injury suffered at the England training camp in June. While the 22-year-old lacked match fitness all the signs were in evidence ' including one delightful line break that wrong-footed the Falcons' cover, that he is raring to go.

Prior to kick-off both sets of players and supporters combined in a moving minute's applause for Jarrod Cunningham, the former Exiles' player who sadly died from Motor Neurone Disease in July. Jarrod's father, Milton, was a guest of the club's for the game.

There was real intent in the way Irish started the game. A Paul Hodgson box kick from the back of a scrum tested the Falcons' backs and set the scene for what was to follow. Jeremy Staunton had a chance to get points on the board for Irish in the second minute but his difficult penalty from out near the right touchline drifted wide.

Both sets of backs indulged in a session of aerial ping-pong before Delon Armitage finally found touch in the visitors' half. That was a signal for a passage of play in which Irish dominated possession and territory. Staunton secured the Exiles' opening score with a penalty in the 10th minute. It took a further seven minutes before Irish scored their first try. Faan Rautenbach had the pleasure of touching down in the left corner after a series of pick and go moves by Irish tested the Falcons' defence to the limit. Staunton missed the difficult conversion.

A lone voice in the crowd with aspirations to replace Pavarotti caught the attention of the crowd with an extended and melodious cry of 'Irish'. His efforts were rewarded with another attack that had Mark Ireland cross the try line only for the ball to be knocked out of his hands as he was about to score. Referee Davey called the play back for a penalty which Staunton slotted between the posts to extend his team's lead to 11-0.

In the 32nd minute the Irish had the put in to a scrum on the Falcons 22 on the right. Paul Hodgson fooled the visitors' defence in tothinking that he was going to pass the ball to the left from the base of the scrum. Instead of which he burst down the blind side, chipped over the visitors' sole defender and won the chase totouch-down in the left corner. The only one to have any concerns about the score was Jeremy Staunton who was faced with a long conversion from one metre inside the touchline on the left. His kick had the distance but drifted just left of the left upright to leave the score at 16-0.

Irish had to defend vigorously to protect their lead as the half-time interval approached; they succeeded and went in leading 16-0 at the break.

Nick Kennedy gave his fellow players the perfect boost immediately after the re-start when he stole a Falcons' lineout o the Irish 22. His prowess had the desired effect and Irish picked up from where they left off in the opening half.

Both teams started to bring on replacements with inevitable disruption to the pace of the game. It was the Irish replacement strategy that was the more telling as the home team continued to dictate the pattern of the game. Nils Mordt replaced Shane Geraghty with Staunton moving to fly half. He combined with Hodgson to orchestrate the Exiles' efforts to open up the game. The pressure on the Falcons was relentless as the third quarter drew to a close and their outside centre, tom Dillon was sin-binned in the 56th minute for repeatedly killing the ball. Staunton kicked the resulting penalty between the uprights to extend Irish's lead to 19-0.

The final quarter was lively as Irish tried to break through for at least another try, however, the visitors' defence rallied strongly to deny their hosts. A more patient approach by the Exiles might have been more productive as in forcing the pace the error rate also increased and chances were lost. Declan Danaher, Richard Thorpe and Steffon Armitage repeatedly posed problems as they probed the Falcons' defensive line.

A late flurry by Newcastle briefly threatened the Irish line but the defence was too strong and the Exiles ran out deserved winners.

Scorers: London Irish: Tries: Rautenbach (17), Hodgson (32). Penalty goals: Staunton 3 (10, 26, 56).

Scoring sequence (London Irish first): 3-0, 8-0, 11-0, 16-0 (half-time) 19-0.

London Irish: D Armitage, T Ojo, M Ireland, J Staunton, T De Vedia, S Geraghty (rep: N Mordt, 43), P Hodgson (rep: W Fury, 65), D Murphy (rep: C Dunning, 52), D Paice (rep: S Mackie, 67), F Rautenbach (rep: T Lea'aetoa, 52), N Kennedy, B Casey (captain) (rep: K Roche, 52), D Danaher, R Thorpe, P Murphy (rep: S Armitage, 48).

Newcastle Falcons: M Burke, T May (rep: O Phillips, 66), T Dillon (sin-bin: 56-66), J Shaw (rep: A Dehaty, 66), J Rudd, S Jones, J Grindal (rep: L Dickson, 48), J McDonnell, M Thompson (rep: A Long, 40), M Ward (rep: D Wilson, 57), A Perry, M Sorenson, G Parling, B Woods (rep: B Wilson, 22), P Dowson (captain).

Referee: Mr Sean Davey (RFU)

Match Statistics

19		0
T C P DG Player         Dan Murphy         David Paice 1       Faan Ratuenbach         Nick Kennedy         Bob Casey         Declan Danaher         Richard Thorpe         Phil Murphy 1       Paul Hodgson         Shane Geraghty         Tomas De Vedia     3   Jeremy Staunton         Mark Ireland         Topsy Ojo         Delon Armitage         Casey Dunning         Stuart Mackie         Tonga Lea'aetoa         Kieran Roche         Steffon Armitage         Warren Fury         Nils Mordt	Position 1. L/Prop 2. Hooker 3. T/Prop 4. Lock 5. Lock 6. B/Flanker 7. O/Flanker 8. No 8 9. Scrum-half 10. Fly-half 11. Wing 12. Centre 13. Centre 14. Wing 15. Fullback 16. Sub 17. Sub 18. Sub 19. Sub 20. Sub 21. Sub 22. Sub	Player T C P DG Joe McDonnell         Matt Thompson         Micky Ward         Andy Perry         Mark Sorenson         Geoff Parling         Ben Woods         Phil Dowson         James Grindal         Steve Jones         John Rudd         Joe Shaw         Tom Dillon         Tom May         Matt Burke         Andy Long         David Wilson         Russell Winter         Brent Wilson         Lee Dickson         Adam Dehaty         Ollie Phillips