(As Otleypeople's usual rugby correspondent was away in London this week watching England vs Ireland at Twickers we bring you a report of that match instead of Otley's 22-20 home win against Redruth. The Redruth game is covered here.) 

It was great to see that

Otley had not only beaten Redruth but also gained a very welcome

bonus point into the bargain. I was otherwise engaged at Twickenham,

cheering on Ireland, not only last year’s Grand Slam winners, but

also (after the victory over South Africa) the de-facto world

champions. Therefore, I thought Otley people would like a report on

the international match.

Obviously all

international sports teams unite their country and bring together

traditionally rival fans supporting different club sides. But no team

on earth ignites quite the same passion as the Ireland Rugby Union

team. Ireland is, of course, divided politically – a controversy on

which I shall not comment in a rugby report. However, it’s an

All-Ireland rugby team, representing all four Provinces and all 32

counties. For a few precious hours every year Irish people of all

persuasions, and even all generations, can stand united in a common

cause. Staunch Ballymena Unionists, unreconstituted Kerry

Republicans, dilettante Dublin Socialists, even the children of the

Diaspora, combine to will to victory a team representing a united

people.

Twickenham is a superb

stadium with a great atmosphere. The teams came out to a mighty roar.

We don’t have “The Soldier’s Song” at away matches (an

historical compromise) but the Ireland fans belted out “Ireland’s

Call” heartily. “God Save the Queen” followed and battle

commenced.

The first few minutes set

the tone for the match. England attacked the Ireland line fiercely

with a street-wise power game. The sheer ferocity of the collisions

was blood curdling. The Irish defence never wilted and after just

three minutes, Ireland turned the ball over in the tackle. The ball

was moved swiftly from O’Leary to Ferris to Heaslip. Sexton took

the ball, straightened the line and then showed great vision. Tommy

Bowe was out on the right wing, with Moody covering: in a race for

the line there could be only one winner. Sexton grubber kicked with

perfect precision, Bowe chased, pounced and touched down for the

opening try. The conversion was missed but Ireland took an early 5-0

lead.

England then started to

dominate the possession. Ireland went offside but Wilkinson missed

the kick at goal. Another penalty after 17 minutes was converted and

the lead was cut to a slender 5-3. After 30 minutes it was England’s

turn to be penalised, for handling in the ruck and Sexton scored the

penalty goal. It now stood at 8-3. Just before half time, an Irish

forward entered the maul from the side and was penalised. Wilkinson

scored and the teams went in for the break with the score 8-6 to

Ireland – it was anybody’s game and all to play for. England had

dominated possession, but with Wilkinson standing so far behind the

gain-line, had put it to little use. One wondered what instructions

the coach had issued.

Wilkinson missed a penalty

shot at goal just after half time, but the penalty count was mounting

against Ireland as the pack struggled to contain England. After 56

minutes came a crucial moment in t he game. Ireland were penalised,

but the penalty was reversed for Care pushing O’Leary in

retaliation. This was a harsh decision and probably the only real

grounds for criticising the referee. Sexton found a good touch,

O’Connell took the line out ball cleanly and a move was set up.

Sexton again saw the gap and sent over a great pass to Earls, who

took his opportunity cleanly and went over in the corner. The kick

was missed but Ireland now led 13-6.

England came straight back

and bombarded the Irish defence, but the thin green line stood firm.

After a series of 5-yard scrums, England camped on the Irish try line

and in the 60th

eventually seemed to go over for a try. The decision was passed to

the video referee who awarded the, rather dubious, try. Wilkinson

converted, and after all their efforts and pressure, Irelands’ lead

had now gone, with the scores at 13-13.

Three minutes later,

apparent t disaster struck: Brian O’Driscoll banged his head badly

and had to leave the field. Earls moved to centre, and Trimble came

onto the wing. Neither would let Ireland down, but they could hardly

make up for the loss of the best centre in the world.

O’Gara came on for

Sexton, presumably to try to tighten play up a little. However the

England pressure was now taking its toll and in the 71st

minute, from a perfect position, Wilkinson slotted over a neat drop

goal to give England the lead for the first time. The impetus was now

with England and Ireland looked to be on the back foot. The front row

had been under constant pressure, the forwards had tackled all day,

the backs had never flinched or took a backward step. Could they hang

on?

Then in the 75th

minute the match turned again. The mighty Paul O’Connell soared t o

win t he lineout and O’Leary made a break. A half-dummy

wrong-footed the English defence. Tommy Bowe sped through in support,

took the pass and sailed through the disjointed defence. As he

crossed the line, he punched the air in triumph before slamming the

ball down. It could hardly have been more appropriate that victory

for the All-Ireland team was finally secured by a citizen of one of

the Republic’s Ulster counties. As he leapt with joy, all of

Ireland celebrated with the pride of County Monaghan.

The game wasn’t over

yet. England came back into the attack with no thoughts of

surrender. Ruck after ruck England re-cycled the ball and edged

forward. Then,finally, Ireland secured the last of their eight

turnovers, the ball came out to Jamie Heaslip and he had the honour

of gleefully booting it well into touch to signal the end of the game

and an Irish victory.

It had been a mighty game

and both teams can take pride in their efforts – and now for the

triple crown!

Photo taken from boocal's flickr stream