Steffon Armitage’s last minute try allows London Irish to win and earn try bonus point
London Irish kept their Aviva Premiership play offs alive as they defeated the Sale Sharks during the weekend.
London Irish and Sales Sharks match was played at Reebok Stadium, Bolton during last Saturday. London Irish won the match and also secure the all important try bonus point. Saturday’s win take their overall points tally to 53 points in their 20 matches
of the season so far.
Playing in front of the home crowd, London Irish were on the attack since the start of the game. After some initial Sale Sharks resistance, London Irish were first to put the scores on the scorecard during the 13th minute of the game.
Irish Winger Topsy Ojo scored the try which was followed by their other Winger Tom Homer’s conversion to take the scorecard reading 7-0. Both teams fought for the ball possession and the territory possession however, none of the team succeeded adding points
on the board.
Sale Sharks put their first points on board with their Fly Half Charlie Hodgson scoring a penalty during the 23rdminute of the game. The penalty points were the only points Sale Sharks managed in the first half. Irish controlled the game in remaining minutes
of the first half and took the scorecard to 24 – 3 at the end of the first half.
During the 27th minute, Irish Winger Homer scored a penalty to extend the lead by 7 points. Five minutes later Irish Hooker David Paice scored a try followed by Homer’s second conversion of the game. With minutes (three) remaining in the half,
Irish Scrum Half Dan Bowden scored their third try in the game. This was followed by Homer’s conversion to leave Sharks trailing by 21 points at the end of the first half.
Sale Sharks start the second half with intensity as came scoring first in the half through Sharks Fly Half Hodgson’s second penalty of the game. During the 45th minute London Irish scored their first points of the second half as their Scrum Half
Dan Bowden scored on penalty.
During next 18 minutes both team fight for territory and attacked each other’s halves looking to penetrate the score line. During the 63rd minute, Sale Sharks Lock Sean Cox scored a try followed by Hodgson’s conversion to take the scorecard reading 13 –
27, favouring Irish.
Two minutes later, Sharks scored their second penalty through Wame Lewaravu. This was followed by the Hodgson conversion and 21 point lead suddenly dropped down to just 7 points. In the next phase of the game Irish were better of the team as they denied
the Sharks attack while defending. During the 80thminute, Steffon Armitage scored the fourth try for his side to earn an all important bonus point for his side. This was followed by Homer’s conversion, which took the score to 34-20.
Sale Sharks need would be disappointed as they fail to score a losing bonus point which might prove helpful as they are facing a possible relegation. Sharks need to win at least a game of their remaining games to avoid the possible relegation.
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