Geese recover to earn a well deserved draw at the Rock

Rosslyn Park Rangers 31 - 31 London Irish Wild Geese

A beautiful late summer day in London set the scene for what turned out to be the stern test the Wild Geese had hoped for. The final game of the preseason programme, challenged both attack and defence as well as squad resilience. Demonstrations, transport strikes and an early kick caused some disruption to the starting team and a good test of our ability to adapt.

The game started brightly and both sides struggled to impose their will on the game. Park looked comfortable on the ball but were made to work hard by the Geese defence.

Up front, honours were probably even, early line out pressure from Conor Gilligan, won some good turnover ball and forced errors from the Park pack. Unfortunately, we couldn't capitalise on the chances offered. Too often we were second to the loose ball.

Small individual errors caused pressure to build, an Irish mistake and a nice piece of skill from Park, meant we turned around 14-0 down at half time.

Irish made wholesale changes at half time to ensure all players got a chance to stake their claim for the coming league campaign.

There was a very different feel about the second period, confidence grew as we made inroads into the Park defence. Strong carries from returning back row forward Alex Tate and some powerful running from centre Aloisio Vereimi set the tone.

The pack took control for significant periods and tries came at regular intervals. Firstly from scrum half Alfie Molloy, then wing, Jordan Warner. That was the only time we scored twice in succession.

Unfortunately, there was a tit for tat feels to the scoring, Molloy added two more, from close range. While flanker Pierre Wedja picked up a deft offload from Vereimi to sprint clear. Park repeatedly pegged us back and squeezed a draw from a driving line out, which proved the last move of the game.

Head Coach, John Lacey said "We've got to be happy with that one. Park are a very ambitious, National 1 side, they've got a big squad and we have matched them today.

I'm really happy that our fitness was right up there, we performed to a consistently high standard. I think we may have given them a bit too much respect in the first half. The second was very different.

I'm happy that we continued to score, we've notched up 27 tries over our 4 games. We gave away too many penalties on the floor today. That's something we'll need to address this week. We can't continue to do that, it'll cost us dear if we do.

I was very happy that we showed some real grit out there, we're in a decent place and I can't wait to get the league underway".

Next week sees the Wild Geese travel to Wimbledon for their first League game of the season, we would really appreciate your support.

London Irish Wild Geese

1. Byrne 2. Townsend (c) 3. Jones 4. Gilligan 5. Hobbins 6. Donegan 7. Scott 8. West 9. U'Chong 10. Abrahams 11. O'Hagan 12. Townshend 13. Pueble 14. Brewerton 15. Turner

Replacements

16. Donkor 17. Touma 18. Wedja 19. Tate 20. Molloy 21. O'Hehir 22. Vereimi 23. Stevens 24. Steadman 25. Warner

Scorers

Tries - Molloy (3), Warner, Wedja

Cons - Stevens (3)