London Irish and Bourgoin classic at the Madejski Stadium
London Irish narrowly lost to Bourgoin in the European Challenge Cup last week after a Delon Armitage kick sailed wide, resulting in the 32-30 win for the visitors.
It was a thrilling match with an amazing comeback from the Exiles, but it was not enough as they bowed out of the tournament.
The hosts went into half time with the lead, but conceded shortly afterwards through Anthony Forest. Seilala Mapusua then crashed through to bring the game back in Irish’s favour.
With ten minutes left, the scores were tied at 22-22 before we saw a few amazing passages of play. Mapusua threw a intercept pass with five minutes left, and then we saw London Irish get close to the line, and lock captain Nick Kennedy kick a dropkick, with only a few seconds left on the clock.
Irish never gave up, and from the restart they built pressure and managed to find space for the speedy flanker Steffon Armitage to fly down the wing. He finished the try brilliantly, which set up a testing sideline conversion for his brother.
It was an incredible finish to a game of rugby, but a disappointing end for London Irish, who naturally had high ambitions in the tournament.
Bourgoin captain Wessel Jooste spoke frankly after the match.
"We surprised ourselves because we know they are capable of ripping us to bits but we were like a French side tonight that were free spirits on the field.
"But I am quite sure that if the game had gone into extra-time that we would have fallen apart because we were dead out there."
It was a thrilling match with an amazing comeback from the Exiles, but it was not enough as they bowed out of the tournament.
The hosts went into half time with the lead, but conceded shortly afterwards through Anthony Forest. Seilala Mapusua then crashed through to bring the game back in Irish’s favour.
With ten minutes left, the scores were tied at 22-22 before we saw a few amazing passages of play. Mapusua threw a intercept pass with five minutes left, and then we saw London Irish get close to the line, and lock captain Nick Kennedy kick a dropkick, with only a few seconds left on the clock.
Irish never gave up, and from the restart they built pressure and managed to find space for the speedy flanker Steffon Armitage to fly down the wing. He finished the try brilliantly, which set up a testing sideline conversion for his brother.
It was an incredible finish to a game of rugby, but a disappointing end for London Irish, who naturally had high ambitions in the tournament.
Bourgoin captain Wessel Jooste spoke frankly after the match.
"We surprised ourselves because we know they are capable of ripping us to bits but we were like a French side tonight that were free spirits on the field.
"But I am quite sure that if the game had gone into extra-time that we would have fallen apart because we were dead out there."
Share | Tweet |
17 Comments:
great game dissappointed that irish lost what stamina by armitage to make it after over 80 mins or brutal rugby
By number7, at April 16, 2009 4:32 pm
Great win by Bourgoin nice to see some french clubs still performing at a european level
By tehsniper, at April 16, 2009 6:03 pm
It's fun to compare the number of supporters in this stadium with the precedent post
By Anonymous, at April 16, 2009 6:19 pm
How did Kennedy get that drop goal ?
I thought the ball had to have been touched by the opposition after a penalty in order to be able to take a drop goal.
Was that a legal drop-goal ?
By Disco, at April 16, 2009 6:21 pm
@Disco:
as far as i know this rule only takes effect when you're awarded a shortarm penalty, but due to the NH version of the ELVs it was a fullarm penalty.
i think kennedy knew it would cost too much time to take the shot at goal, so he demanded the quick tap and took the shot at goal himself, because he didn't have the time to make the call for his fly-half or whoever. thus he also preventet burgoin from blocking the kick.
overall a brilliant idea, but unluckily it didn't work out in the end - perhaps kennedy should have convertet the try himself ;-)
By opfazonk, at April 16, 2009 6:30 pm
arrgghh, shame for irish. great match. gl to bourgoin
By Anonymous, at April 16, 2009 6:33 pm
I thought that droppie was pure class, especially coming from a lock. So calm and confident.
And yeah, I bet there we one or two mutterings in the changeroom along the same lines as what opzafonk said :P
By Shaft, at April 16, 2009 6:46 pm
"This is the last kick of the match . . . . . . unless it goes over."
Classic.
By Boz, at April 16, 2009 7:51 pm
curious to see one of the most boring side of top 14 eliminate one of the most entertaining british team
and exactly the contrary with cardiff vs toulouse
magic of rugby?
By rob, at April 16, 2009 11:10 pm
How the hell did bourgoin win? Their a terrible team
By Anonymous, at April 16, 2009 11:49 pm
If people have not noticed need to kick the ball to restart the game, except scrums and lineouts, and to get a lineout from a free kick or penalty you need to kick it!
By martin-offload, at April 17, 2009 12:42 am
martin-offload said... If people have not noticed need to kick the ball to restart the game, except scrums and lineouts, and to get a lineout from a free kick or penalty you need to kick it!
What on earth are you talking about?
By Anonymous, at April 17, 2009 5:18 am
is this the same game with the quite fit streaker running on the pitch. apparently she got paid £3000 to do it! the video can be seen here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mMQMJpNoLc&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thespoiler.co.uk%2Findex.php%2Fpage%2F3&feature=player_embedded
By Ross Thompson, at April 17, 2009 12:04 pm
y isnt that in the highlight reel !? come on streakers are part of great sportevents ;)
By Anonymous, at April 17, 2009 12:38 pm
Armitage was everywhere!!
By andy, at April 17, 2009 3:31 pm
The Armitage brother scoring that last try in the corner reminded me of an NFL receiver getting both of their feet in bounds. Amazing body control.
By Anonymous, at April 17, 2009 9:04 pm
wow - incredible crowds
must be good rugby
By jamestheconvict, at April 18, 2009 9:44 am
Post a Comment
<< Home