Newport Gwent Dragons 17 London Irish 45 - A Historic Day in the Dragons Den

Paddy Lennon reports from Rodney Parade, Newport

Even after 109 years London Irish is still adding important chapters to its evolving story.  The historians of future generations will look at yesterday’s scoreline and record something like “a good win was achieved over Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade on 17th November in the second round of the club’s 2007-08 Heineken Cup campaign.”  Will they go beyond the headlines to read the story of an extraordinary game?

Three special milestones occurred yesterday.  London Irish achieved its first away win in the Heineken Cup in three seasons; Nick Kennedy – respected throughout the Guinness Premiership as the ‘king of the lineout stealers’, finally accomplished an elusive goal when he scored his first try for the club in 107 games; and finally, Kieran Roche – that most committed of professionals, played his 100th senior game for the club and became the latest player to join the distinguished ranks of the London Irish 100 Club.

Arguably there was another milestone – an opening quarter of play, enhanced by a masterclass of the fly half’s art by Mike Catt, during which the Exiles recorded the four try bonus-point that now consolidates their position at the top of Pool 1.

For once the weather gods across the Severn were smiling.  A dry, sunny early afternoon greeted the teams as they ran out onto a good playing surface for the 1.30pmkick-off.  Running rugby was the order of the day and given that London Irish was able to set the early pace, the Dragons had little choice but to join in!

The early exchanges were competitive as the key personalities on both teams sought to make an impact.  Bob Casey reminded his hosts of the threat he posed in the lineout by taking Irish’s first cleanly.  His opposite number, Michael Owen also made his presence felt with a number of ball carries that belie his position in the second row.  Irish were fortunate not to fall behind in the 5th minute when the Dragons backs created a three-on-one scoring opportunity on the left but were undone by poor handling.

Already Catt was having the better of the kicking exchanges with his opposite number Ceri Sweeney as he repeated forced the home team to turn and defend in their half.  Peter Hewat opened the scoring with a penalty in the 9th minute after Peter Richards had been taken out when he broke through a gap in defence.

The score was the touch paper that Irish needed and the fireworks started just three minutes later.  In the 13th minute a move started down the left by the outstanding Seilala Mapusua and involving Sailosi Tagicakibau, Catt and Hewat gave Tomas De Vedia the chance to touch down in the left corner.  Hewat converted for a 0-10 score.

That was the start of an extraordinary 11 minutes for Irish.  Casey had his pack working tirelessly in defence making big tackles, forcing the crucial turnovers.  Wherever you looked one, two, three of the eight caught the eye – Dan Murphy and David Paice, Declan Danaher and Kieran Roche and the inimitable Juan Leguizamon to name but some.

Delon Armitage created Irish’s second try with a precise cross-field kick that fell between two Dragons’ defenders Kevin Morgan and Richard Mustoe.  Too late they realised that De Vedia was coming between them to snaffle up the ball and race over unopposed for his second try.  Once again, Hewat added the extras.

Morgan was to suffer further embarrassment when a 75 metre clearance kick by Catt was badly misjudged by the Welsh international full back.  He first appeared to leave the ball alone to allow it to trickle into touch but it refused to do so!  With Irish players rushing down on him Morgan had little choice but to kick the ball into touch and concede a lineout one metre from his try line.

The home side barely had time to recover when Irish were running at them again through midfield.  Another ruck and for the second week in succession Tonga Lea’aetoa turned creator with a delightful offload to Mike Catt.  Not for the first time did the player/coach show a turn of pace over 25 metres that left the defence trailing before touching down for his side’s third try, a score that sent the numerous and vocal Exiles’ fans into raptures!  Hewat kicked conversion number three between the uprights.

The Dragons finally registered their first score – a Sweeney penalty, in the 24th minute but any confidence boost was short lived.  Five minutes later another Catt chip kick was caught by De Vedia on the left.  He had the strength to pass to Delon Armitage who with defenders hanging out of him made the extra metres that enabled him to reach over and touch down for the bonus point-winning fourth try.  Hewat added the extras with a brilliant conversion kick from the left touchline.

Realising that the game had all but vanished from their grasp the home team mounted a sustained attack just before the interval.  Colin Charvis and Richard Parks led by example as the pack established a foothold just short of the Irish try line.  The ball was eventually recycled to Michael Owen who dived over for a try that was confirmed by the TMO.  Sweeney’s conversion went over with a little help from the right upright to leave the half-time score 10-31.

A passionate rendition of the great Welsh anthem “Men of Harlech” stirred the crowd during the interval, the question was whether or not it would have a similar effect on the players.  Whatever good it did lasted less than ten hard fought minutes during which Irish were concerned with injuries to Peter Richards and Juan Leguizamon.  That was before the try that finally killed off the Dragons’ Challenge.  Tagicakibau kicked the ball clear in midfield into the home half.  Mapusua won the chase to pick-up the ball and suck in the remaining defenders before passing to Nick Kennedy scampering up on his outside.  Showing a fleetness of foot the belied a man of his height he raced unopposed to touchdown for his first try for Irish.  The smile on his face said more any words what the score meant to him.  Once again Hewat converted for a score of 10-38.

Realising that the game was settled both teams began a series of replacements.  Paul Hodgson replaced Mike Catt who left the pitch to a respectful ovation from the knowledgeable home crowd.

The Dragons established a period of sustained pressure around the 60th minute with their pack once again leading the charge.  They camped just short of the Exiles’ try line before hooker Steve Jones was driven over for his side’s second try in the 66th minute.  Sweeney converted to narrow the lead to 17-38.

Irish had to resist further pressure but with the home side chasing the game mistakes were bound to occur.  In the 75th minute Delon Armitage was able to intercept a tired pass and with the home defence literally standing looking at him, he strolled over the try line and touched down under the posts.  Hewat added his sixth successful conversion to finish Irish’s scoring at 17-45.  Referee M Berdos’ whistle brought relief to the home fans and sent the Exiles’ supporters into deserved delight!

And so with rounds one and two played, London Irish sit atop Pool 1 with maximum points.  They are in charge of their destiny when rounds three and four - home and away matches with the favourites to top the pool, Perpignan, take place in mid-December.

Scorers:Newport Gwent Dragons:Tries: Owen (37), Jones A (67); Conversions: Sweeney 2. Penalty goal: Sweeney (24).  London Irish:Tries: De Vedia 2 (13, 16), Catt (19), Armitage D 2 (29) (74), Kennedy (49); Conversions: Hewat  6.  Penalty goal: Hewat (9).

Scoring sequence (Dragons first):  0-3, 0-10, 0-17, 0-24, 3-24, 3-31, 10-31 (half-time) 10-38, 17-38, 17-45.

Newport Gwent Dragons: K Morgan, G Wyatt (rep: P Emerick, 57), R G Davies, A Smith, R Mustoe, C Sweeney (rep: A Thomas, 69), W Evans (rep: A Williams, 69), A Black (rep: H Gustafson, 69), S Jones (rep: B Daly, 70), R Thomas, L Charteris, M Owen (rep: A Hall, 75), J Ringer, R Parks (rep: J Bearman, 59), C Charvis (captain).

London Irish: P Hewat (rep: T Ojo, 79), T De Vedia, D Armitage, S Mapusua, S Tagicakibau, M Catt (rep: P Hodgson, 55), P Richards (rep: S Armitage, 70),  D Murphy, D Paice (rep: D Coetzee, 70), T Lea’aetoa (rep: R Skuse, 50), N Kennedy (rep: J Hudson, 76), B Casey (captain), K Roche, D Danaher, J Leguizamon (rep: R Thorpe, 65).          

Referee: M Christophe Berdos (FFR)

Attendance: 6,132

Match Statistics

T C P DG Player         Dan Murphy         David Paice         Tonga Lea'aetoa 1       Nick Kennedy         Bob Casey (Capt)         Kieran Roche         Declan Danaher         Juan Leguizamon         Peter Richards 1       Miike Catt         Sailosi Tagicakibau         Seilala Mapusua 2       Delon Armitage 2       Tomas De Vedia   6 1   Peter Hewat         Richard Skuse         Danie Coetzee         James Hudson         Richard Thorpe         Steffon Armitage         Paul Hodgson         Topsy Ojo	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 Adam Black         Steve Jones 1       Rhys Thomas         Luke Charteris         Michael Owen 1       Jamie Ringer         Richard Parks         Colin Charvis (Capt)         Wayne Evans         Ceri Sweeney   2 1   Richard Mustoe         Ashley Smith         Rhodri Gomer-Davies         Gareth Wyatt         Kevin Morgan         Ben Daly         Hugh Gustafson         Andrew Hall         Joe Bearman         Andy Williams         Aled Thomas         Paul Emerick