Falcons U21s 46 - London Irish U21s 13
By Foot Up (11/01/03)
January 12 2003
On a cold fresh Saturday afternoon at Kingston Park the firm pitch was ideal for running rugby and Newcastle Falcons made the most of it.
Irish started from the kick off and early pressure kept the Falcons pinned in their own 22. The defence was solid but a penalty was given away which the Irish Fullback converted.
Falcons 0 - Irish 3
The Irish pushed hard for the first 15 minutes but their efforts did not get converted into points. Falcons eventually found the way forward and on 25 minutes Laycock (10) threw out a long pass missing both centres and finding Jones (15) who came into the line at speed. Jones made the initial break and kicked through for Kerr (11) to pickup and beat the last man on the outside to race over and around behind the posts. Wainwright (12) added the conversion.
Falcons 7 - Irish 3
Just after the restart and following an Irish infringement Richardson (9) took a quick tap penalty just inside his own half. He made a break, but was taken out by a high tackle from the Irish No 4, who was not the required10 metres. This resulted in the Irish No 4 spending 10 minutes in the sin bin.
Falcons were pushing the Irish but the defence held. A break down the right by Ladhar (14) looked to have scored what appeared to be a good try but play was brought back for an Irish lineout five metres out. Good pressure from the Falcons resulted in a penalty, which Wainwright converted.
Falcons 10 - Irish 3
Play went back and forth between the 22s. Richardson broke the Irish defence and set-up a ruck on the Irish 22. With Richardson on the floor Laycock went to the base took the ball and spun blind fainting the pass outside and then side stepped the fullback to score to the side of the posts. Wainwright converted.
Falcons 17 - Irish 3
Mitchell (13) made a scything break through the middle and with only the fullback to beat and two men outside decided to go himself. The Irish fullback pulled off an excellent tackle.
Half Time: Falcons 17 - Irish 3
Within one minute of the restart a driving maul by the Falcons forwards resulted Rennie (5) going over for the score wide out.
Falcons 22 - Irish 3
Following the Irish restart they pressured the Falcons but again the defence was sound. The only reward for 10 minutes of pressure and being camped in the Falcons 22 was a penalty by the Irish fullback.
Falcons 22 - Irish 6
Falcons stayed in the Irish half for the next ten minutes. The ball was being thrown about by the Falcons backs, which resulted in the try of the match. Wainwright switched blind and released Jones who's quick hands then fed to Ladhar who sped down the wing. He then fed back inside to Wainwright who had been chasing hard to score under the posts. Wainwright converted his try.
Falcons 29 - Irish 6
Wilson came on at prop for Kirkman (60 mins) and with almost his first touch of the ball went over for a try in the corner (Wilson although a prop is the leading try scorer for the U21s).
Falcons 34 - Irish 6
A few minutes after the restart further pressure from the Falcons forward who were now driving the Irish forwards back resulted in a try for Woods (7). Neville, who had came on for Jones at fullback converted.
Falcons 41 - Irish 6
From the restart the Irish made ground into the Falcons 22 but from a turnover the Falcons raced back down the field with forwards and backs all linking well. This resulted in Parling (6) going over wide out in the corner.
Falcons 46 - Irish 6
The Irish had not given in and in the last 5 minutes of the game the Falcons line was eventually crossed with the Irish No8 going over in the corner. A very difficult conversion was put over by the Irish fullback.
Falcons 46 - Irish 13
This was a very good team performance with forwards and backs linking well. The Irish never gave in but it was Falcons who made and then took the chances.
Thanks to Foot Up for a great match report, if you have something you'd like to to write about for the site, or want to have a go a match preview or match report then please email me! All contributions are welcome!
Mally - Website Editor
