Not so Castle Grim
Nearly 12,000 souls crammed into Kingsholm on a sun drench, but cold Saturday afternoon to witness a battle to warm the heart, well as far as Irish are concerned. In truth, this was an ugly game of rugby, but the exiles shouldn’t give a feck about that, claiming a first premiership win in Gloucester since forever!The purist and lovers of the fat boys battle will have got enough from this game to keep them smiling for a while yet, and it was the visiting pack that fecked the Gloucester 8. From 1 – 8, the lads in white stepped up and gave it their all to ensure that the race for fourth place and a play-off berth can continue, with LI hot on the heals of their hosts.
In the front row, the ageless Hatley had a brutal fight for supremacy over the impressive and mobile Powell. At tight head, Rautenbach was finding the French fecker Collazo a real handful but fought hard to gain parity in the scrummage. The awesome Coetzee at hooker had a fine day at the office, at times showing his skills more suited to a flanker as he won ball on the ground under immense Gloucester pressure. He was also hitting his jumpers at line out time with ease.
In the second row, the best partnership in the premiership was re-introduced, as Kennedy returned from injury to stand alongside Casey. Casey used this game to show the unusually quiet Shed just what they have missed having re-signed for London Irish, impressive in the set-piece, but was also a willing runner. Kennedy had another fecking strong game, and edged it over Brown in the England pretender race. Both locks were able to put huge pressure on the Gloucester line-out, stealing ball at critical times of the game to deny the home side opportunities to flex their drive weapon in pursuit of a needed try.
The back row had a fecking blinder, with their willingness to put bodies on the line in contact and turnover ball for fun. Leguizamon was the standout player until injury put a premature end to his afternoon, being replaced just before the break by Gustard. This fecker is one skilful player, showing great awareness in close contact with some well-executed chips over the Cherry and White’s defence line, but also showed himself to be a freaking elusive runner with ball in hand. Magne had another 50 minutes of rugby under his belt since returning from injury and seemed to be everywhere before being replaced by Dawson who fitted straight into the battle. Roche at 6 gave another impressive performance and showed great fight and guile in all the good things Irish achieved all day.
In truth, the fat feckers played the ref, South African Kaplan, the better. He is over here to be the blower in the 6 nations, and this game was a warmer for him. To say he made some strange decisions rather underplays Southern Hemisphere interpretation of the laws. Scrum time seemed to be a lottery and also the policing of the contact areas was very poor. Irish may have beefed up on SA whistlers knowledge during the week, and fecking played him very well.
The game started and the early exchanges were a bit X-rated with the 2 packs fighting for top dog billing. The forwards knew to a man that the key to victory was the dominance all over the field and by feck the 16 went for it big. Mercier and Flutey exchanged missed penalties before exchanging successful ones to leave the scores tied.
For all the Irish possession and territory, the fecking immense Gloucester defence prevented the scoreboard reflecting accurately the game unfolding. The Exile pack was starting to get on top, with the feisty Hodgson gaining good ball from pure hard work. He was pinging the ball out to the Flutey fella to set the girls running, but the defensive home line remained resolute.
Finally, on the half hour, the heroic Gloucester line was broken. After Irish were awarded a penalty from the hapless Kaplin after a collapsed scrum 5, Catt instructed Flutey to find touch. The resulting line out found Casey, who formed the maul and a drive for the line ensued. After Magne fell short, Leguizamon burst through to dot down. Flutey accepted the extras from out wide to leave the score at 10-3, a scoreline taken into the dressing room.
The second period followed a similar pattern with fierce exchanges from both sides. Flutey landed an early penalty to extend the lead for the Irish, a score that was to be the last for the visitors.
Gloucester started to look threatening from deep, forcing the Irish to defend their lead. Mercier got his kicking boots warmed, primed and firing to start eating into the lead by landing two penalties. With the score line a mere 4 fecking points apart, the home side started to get a feel that a smash and grab of the spoils was to be theirs. The Shedheads finally added vocal support to the cause and the Irish defended to a man to etch out a deserved victory.
This was added to when Irish were reduced to 14, with Ojo getting a binning. In truth, the young fella did well to prevent the try and he deserved the card, but a great card to get! The 14 men of Irish still battled like feckers possessed to secure an away win.
The final game defining moment fell ironically into the hands of Casey. Mercier kicked a penalty well inside the Irish 22 only for the resulting throw to be stolen by the big man. The ball was presented to Hodgson, for the wee man to clear deep into the Gloucester half.
Kaplin’s best decision all day was made when he ended the contest, giving Irish a hard fought victory.
Not too many sides come to Castle Grim and win the day. The London Irish pack was fecking awesome and laid the foundations for the win with speed, strength and determination. Over the past few seasons, these types of games would have drifted away from us. Nowadays, the feck em attitude and belief in the ranks is for all to see. An ugly win, but who cares? The game plan was executed accurately and the game was won, so applause for their fine showing when they returned from the dressing room was well deserved.
The fans of Gloucester should also be applauded for their fine way in defeat. Handshakes and congratulations were offered without any ill feeling, showing that these are real rugby fans. Teague’s bar was a fine venue to swap stories and songs over many a pint to really add to a fantastic day, yet again in the City of Gloucester. A return match up in the Challenge Cup Final would be a great day for two sets of fine fans to renew their acquaintances.
In the mean time, that Squeaky fecker will be bringing an in-form Falcons side to the Madstad for a very important match in Irish’s pursuit of HC qualification. A weekend off for the lads to get those injuries and battered bodies sorted.
Team:
Horak; Armitage, Mordt, Catt, Ojo; Flutey, Hodgson; Hatley, Coetzee, Rautembach; Casey, Kennedy; Roche, Magne, Leguizamon.
Subs:
Tagicakibau for Armitage (49), Collins for Hatley (78), Paice for Coetzee (78), Dawson for Magne (49), Gustard for Leguizamon (39).
Not Used:
Willis, Everitt.
-- Master Scribe