Nick Alway reports

For a second week in succession CS were left scratching their heads as to how a match which they dominated for long periods got away from them. And this time they even outscored their opponents by 4 tries to 3

The answer was fairly simple. On another glorious October day at Duke's Meadows - with a healthy crowd on the club house side having to shield their eyes from the low autumnal sun - the Stags were generous hosts to a fault, both gifting the Wild Geese points and declining to accept their own opportunities. Six times in all a CS kicker lined up a shot at goal - four of them in the easy to medium difficulty range - and it would be fair to say that a couple of times the posts were barely threatened. Add to that two close range penalties kicked to the corners, when the resulting line outs were then immediately lost , another penalty where an attacking scrum was the chosen option only to lose it to a 7-man Irish pack against the head, and the picture will be clear : and all this whilst conceding tries that included an interception scored by Irish when CS were attacking deep in their territory, and another where the home side's first-up tackling had been of the wave me through variety, not to mention Irish being presented with a couple of good attacking opportunities by aimless crossfield kicking.

It was all hugely frustrating as in between these aberrations there was some exciting football being played with Paul Olima a constant threat and also some impressive scummaging by all three props used . By the end of the game London Irish were out on the ropes and desperate for the final whistle. Profligate as the Stags' forwards unfortunately had been at the critical moments, throughout the game as a whole and in the second half in particular, the Wild Geese forwards had endured quite a pummelling. But it was not just those two attacking line-outs that went astray - there at times appeared to be a worrying lack of coordination between the thrower on the one hand and the lifters and jumpers on the other and this made it difficult to sustain real pressure.

The touchline view was that even more of a pick and go approach by the forwards might still have managed to carry the day - however negative that might have appeared in such conditions - notwithstanding the issues highlighted and the somewhat tragic-comic kicking display. Whilst there is a time and a place to put width on the ball, some of the midfield play had lacked precision or purpose whereas the forwards' driving had been excellent with Cameron Reed always very prominent . Although three CS backs , James Houston, Paul Olima and Ross Yiend, as well as hooker Darryl Gore, all got on the score sheet - and weather and pitch-wise at least this certainly seemed like an afternoon made for running rugby, the real imbalances were not there: and if the dagger is not working you can put it away if you have the ability to cause havoc with your shelailigh.

The final score came just too late and the Wild Geese survived. Two bonus points was scant consolation for a Stags' side for whom - after winning their first three games - this was now a worrying fourth consecutive defeat.

CS scorers:

Tries:

Houston
Olima
Gore
Yiend

From London Irish Ams site
In a game that flowed from end to end throughout the match with especially CS1863 intent on running at every opportunity and only last ditch tackling by Irish defence stopped the impressive Paul Olima from adding to his try count. It was not until the 20th minute that the first score of the game came and CS1863 were penalised and David Dunne kicked the resulting penalty.
3-0 to London Irish
Unfortunately we could not hold unto the lead and more pressure from CS1863 resulted in their first try of the day on 24 minutes through James Houston. Conversion was missed which in the context of the game proved vital.
5-3 to CS1863
In a captivating game to watch it kept flowing from end to end and on 35 minutes Irish finally got the first try of the game through good forward play and quick ball sees George Owen go over the whitewash and David Dunne converted to make the score.
10-5 in London Irish’s favour
Coming up to end of the first half and into injury time Irish pressed forward and a devastating turn of pace by Will Hopkins from just inside CS1863 half sees him score with an outstretched arm with fellow backs looking for the pass which was never going to happen, conversion missed by David Dunne.
End of first half and Irish lead 15-5

SECOND HALF

Into the second half in a ground bathed in glorious sunshine CS1863 started a bit shocked that their play in the first half did not reflect in the reverse scoreline and preceded to make amends as they again ran from everywhere but Irish subdued them on 50 minutes received a penalty which was converted by David Dunne.
18-5 to London Irish
As the game wore on London Irish normally impregnable defence was being pit under extreme pressure and a break by Paul Olima on 56 minutes sees him brush off Irish defenders and score in the corner for a well deserved try but conversion was missed.
18-10 in Irish’s favour
CS1863 felt they were now making some headway and on 62 minutes more pressure on Irish defence see CS make a break and with George taken out of the game when about to make a tackle left the door open for Daryl Gore to touch down on the right wing and again the conversion was missed.
18-15 to London Irish
CS were starting to get the better of us as are tackling earlier and unseasonal weather took its toll on London Irish and we just managed to hold out CS1863 by last ditch defending and also summed up the courage to keep going and got our reward on 71 minutes as CS1863 were pressing we got turnover ball and good play down CS1863 right side sees Neil Piggott go over in the corner but conversion was missed. This score was to prove vital for us.
23-15 to London Irish
Into the last 6 minutes and although CS1863 never gave up you could just sense the relief that try for Irish could see us home. Although we conceded another try on 77 minutes to Ross Yiend with conversion missed we held on to a very narrow and appreciative four points and CS1863 get two for their endeavours.
23-20 to London Irish
When the final whistle blew you could just sense that Irish escaped with the game.

Final Score 23-20 in London Irish’s favour

Alex at CS1863