KO
Saints are resplendent in their away kit (useful under the floodlights). London Irish are in their own cup kit, and receive the ball from Glenn Dickson's kick off. Saints are playing from right to left as we look
L IRISH 0 SAINTS 0
2mins
Saints win their first lineout and go through the phases, working from right to left and then back again. Forwards GJ Van Velze, Rob Verbakel and Christian Day all get the ball in their hands early, as does Tom Stephenson, and eventually Alex Day pushes the Exiles back with a neat grubber
L IRISH 0 SAINTS 0
4mins
Darren Allinson's clearance went straight to Howard Packman, and with Saints controlling the ball once again Irish come offside on their own 10-metre line. Up steps Dickson to open the scoring
L IRISH 0 SAINTS 3
6mins
Irish have their first attack after a missed Saints touchfinder. Good defence forces a fumble, but while Stephenson chases Day's box kick well he holds on in a tackle to concede a penalty. Myles Dorrian kicks deep into Saints territory
L IRISH 0 SAINTS 3
8mins
Irish's attack comes to an end when Saints win a penalty at a ruck, but while Dickson pushes his team well into home territory the backline move breaks down. Irish recover the ball, work upfield and win a penalty
L IRISH 0 SAINTS 3
10mins
Dorian misses, a let-off for Saints
L IRISH 0 SAINTS 3
11mins
Chasers in front of the 22-metre dropout hands Irish a scrum, but Allinson's pass is wayward, and while Tom Fowlie tries to take Howard Packman on the outside the Saints youngster has too much pace and wins a lineout
L IRISH 0 SAINTS 3
13mins
Although there's no wind, the atmosphere is damp here in Reading and handling is tricky. An Irish fumble hands Saints a scrum and a promising position, but GJ Van Velze's run off the back doesn't quite work, Allinson doing well to hold the number 8 up and win a turnover
L IRISH 0 SAINTS 3
15mins
The scrum wheels past 90 degrees and Saints get the put-in at the reset. This time they go through some phases, forcing Irish to come over the top and concede a penalty. Dickson lines up the penalty from 45 metres, and near the five-metre line on the near side, and while the kick is on target it falls just short. Irish clear for a Saints lineout
L IRISH 0 SAINTS 3
18mins
The throw goes to the tail, Dom Waldouck breaks through the first tackle, and on the back foot Irish concede another penalty. This one is much closer to the sticks and Dickson makes no mistake
L IRISH 0 SAINTS 6
20mins
Missed opportunity for Saints! Had Ben Nutley given a pass to Tom Collins then a try was on. As it happens play stays alive with Alex Day coming closest to the whitewash. But the support runners come in from the side and Irish clear from the resultant penalty
L IRISH 0 SAINTS 6
22mins
A poor throw hands Saints possession, and the visitors work upfield. Ethan Waller comes closest before Irish come in from the side of the ruck and concede a penalty. Dickson goes for the posts again and extends the lead by a further three points
L IRISH 0 SAINTS 9
24mins
A bit of harum-scarum for Saints there, who try to spin the ball wide to the waiting runners on the near side. Waldouck and Nutley have a bit of a misunderstanding, but the ball is retained and Alex Day clears. The box kick has decent length, but misses touch and Irish return with interest, eventually winning a scrum just inside Saints' half
L IRISH 0 SAINTS 9
26mins
TRY!! Irish tap a penalty quickly to go up to the 22, but Nutley wins the ball back and takes off upfield. The flanker doesn't quite have the pace, but Packman cruises up in support, steps out of the last tackle and dives in between the posts. Dickson adds the extras
L IRISH 0 SAINTS 16
30mins
Another missed touchfinder hands some initiative back to Irish, who have their best chances of the game so far. Collins makes a try saving tackle on Fowlie, but Irish retain possession and work their way infield. They eventually cross the whitewash by the uprights, but referee Rhys Thomas rules that there was a double movement and gives Saints a penalty. Dickson clears 20 metres upfield
L IRISH 0 SAINTS 16
34mins
A second clearance gives Irish a lineout just outside Saints' 22, but after the visitors hold the initial maul more exceptional work at a breakdown wins the ball back. They head upfield once again, and once again win a penalty and three more points from Dickson's right boot
L IRISH 0 SAINTS 19
35mins
Having done so well thus far Saints find themselves a man down after Alex Day is yellow carded following a quickly tapped Irish penalty in the visitors' 22. Dorrian kicks the resultant penalty to get his team on the score board
L IRISH 3 SAINTS 19
37mins
TRY!! An Irish fumble at the kick off gives Saints a scrum in great position. Collins moves into scrum-half and distributes the ball well, and with the runners pulling in the defenders it's only a matter of time before Waller is in the clear and over the line. Dickson converts
L IRISH 3 SAINTS 26
HALF-TIME
Having won a scrum at the kick off Saints get the opportunity to see out the rest of the half. But with time up the front row is ruled to have collapsed the set piece and Dorrian lands the three-pointer to send the team into the sheds
L IRISH 6 SAINTS 26
SECOND HALF KO
Irish make a change, replacing Jamie Hagan with Tongan international Leo Halavatau at tight-head. Dorrian kicks off, and as Saints come offside at the catch the Exiles get a penalty and kick to the corner
L IRISH 6 SAINTS 26
42mins
The added bulk up front pays immediate dividends as Irish drive over for a try, Alex Toolis coming up with the ball. Dorrian adds the extras to bring the contest to life once again. Meanwhile Alex Day returns from the sin bin
L IRISH 13 SAINTS 26
44mins
Saints come within five metres of hitting back immediately, Collins making a great break down the blind side, only to be tackled into touch. Irish have the lineout and Allinson clears 30 metres upfield
L IRISH 13 SAINTS 26
47mins
Saints win the ball and seem to have it under control, but Irish win a turnover and Alex Lewington sets up a cracking break. Andrew Fenby puts on more pressure with a grubber, and while Saints sweep up it remains a superb position for the hosts at a lineout 15 metres out
L IRISH 13 SAINTS 26
49mins
Outstanding set piece play - first at a scrum and then winning a lineout against the throw - puts Saints back in control of possession for the first time. But a misplaced pass from Stephenson in the centres hands the ball back to Irish, who go back upfield themselves, only for Lewington to force one pass too many into touch
L IRISH 13 SAINTS 26
52mins
The best aspect of Saints' play in the first half was the control they exerted. This is distinctly lacking this half, with a pass forced here and there and initiative being handed to the hosts. However Irish are not making the most of their chances, conceding a penalty while in possession close to the visitors' line and sending a pass into touch while on the verge of a promising counter-attack
L IRISH 13 SAINTS 26
55mins
Finally Saints get into the home 22, and while their first visit did not bring any points this time Dickson extends the lead by three points following an Irish infringement
L IRISH 13 SAINTS 29
57mins
Saints win the kick off and set up a maul, but a penalty is conceded for truck and trailer. A quick tap puts Saints onto the back foot and Irish come within inches of the whitewash, eventually winning a five-metre scrum. It's a big first play needed from Tom Mercey, who's come on for Salesi Ma'afu
L IRISH 13 SAINTS 29
58mins
The scrum yields a penalty, which Irish kick to the corner. The maul is solid, and Kieran Low comes off the back to dive over in the corner. Dorrian's conversion hits the upright, and while Saints still have a double-digit lead they need to score next to maintain their control. Meanwhile Ryan Glynn comes on for Alex Day at scrum-half
L IRISH 18 SAINTS 29
61mins
That was what the doctor ordered! Saints win back the kick off, and as they try to spread the play right Irish infringe and Dickson takes his team past the 30-point mark. Calum Clark comes on for Teimana Harrison
L IRISH 18 SAINTS 32
64mins
TRY!! Having won a soft penalty at a breakdown, Saints turn the screw. James Wilson kicks to the corner, the ball comes off the top and after a couple of phases Nutley is over by the posts. Dickson converts
L IRISH 18 SAINTS 39
69mins
With the margin back out to 20 points the Saints' coaches ring the changes. Three of these are in the pack, and they have an immediate impact, winning a penalty at a scrum just in their half which Sam Olver - also on as a sub - kicks to the home 22
L IRISH 18 SAINTS 39
71mins
Missed opportunity for Saints! Great hands from Waldouck creates an overlap down the right wing, but Dickson overruns the pass a bit and the ball goes forward five metres shy of the line
L IRISH 18 SAINTS 39
72mins
The front rowers may have changed, but the scrum time dominance has been maintained, Saints forcing Irish to concede a penalty on their own put-in five metres out. They could go for touch, but instead opt for another scrum
L IRISH 18 SAINTS 39
74mins
Van Velze comes off the back and Saints come into midfield, eventually winning another penalty, and another scrum
L IRISH 18 SAINTS 39
76mins
Referee Thomas lets Irish off the hook, missing first a blatant offside at one scrum and then penalising Nutley for releasing his bind. Dorrian clears to his 10-metre line
L IRISH 18 SAINTS 39
77mins
Irish empty their own bench, bringing on Jimmy Stevens, Ben Lonergan, Richard Palframan and Tom Bliss. But they don't have as much impact as their Saints counterparts, conceding a penalty to give the visitors a promising position
L IRISH 18 SAINTS 39
80mins
A great chip from Olver and a clever hack ahead from Waldouck brings a five-metre scrum for Saints. Lonergan is yellow carded for slowing down the play deliberately, but Saints can't make the most of the extra man, turning the ball over
L IRISH 18 SAINTS 39
FULL-TIME
Irish, now playing just for pride, try to go from one end to the other for a consolation score. Guy Armitage comes closest to breaking through, but his offload goes forward and that's that, with Saints securing their second LV= Cup win of the campaign.
L IRISH 18 SAINTS 39
SUMMARY
Aside from a dodgy first 10 minutes of the second half that was certainly a job well done by the Saints. The Madejski Stadium is always a challenging place to play, but they kept London Irish at arm's length for the majority of the game and scoring three pretty good tries. There will be an element of frustration that there was no bonus point, but it is still two wins from two in the LV= Cup and Saints will be in a strong position when the competition resumes in the New Year.
TEAMS
LONDON IRISH - Lewington; Fowlie, Armitage, Sa, Fenby; Dorrian, Allinson; Parr, Mayhew, Hagan, A Toolis, B Toolis, Danaher (capt), Evans, Low
Replacements - Stevens, Harris, Halavatau, Lonergan, Kenny, Mulchrone, Palframan, Bliss
SAINTS - Wilson; Packman, Stephenson, Waldouck (capt), Collins; G Dickson, A Day; E Waller, McMillan, Ma'afu, Verbakel, C Day, Nutley, Harrison, Van Velze
Replacements - Williams, Denman, Mercey, Woolford, Clark, Glynn, Olver, Skelcey
REFEREE Rhys Thomas
ATTENDANCE 5,792
TIMELINE
4mins SAINTS Pen G Dickson 0-3
9mins IRISH Miss pen Dorrian 0-3
16mins SAINTS Miss pen G Dickson 0-3
19mins SAINTS Pen G Dickson 0-6
22mins SAINTS Pen G Dickson 0-9
27mins SAINTS Try Packman Con G Dickson 0-16
34mins SAINTS Pen G Dickson 0-19
36mins SAINTS Yellow card A Day
36mins IRISH Pen Dorrian 3-19
38mins SAINTS Try E Waller Con G Dickson 3-26
40mins IRISH Pen Dorrian 6-26
HALF-TIME L IRISH 6 SAINTS 26
55mins SAINTS Pen G Dickson 13-29
58mins IRISH Try Kenny 18-29
62mins SAINTS Pen G Dickson 18-32
65mins SAINTS Try Nutley Con G Dickson 18-39
80mins IRISH Yellow card Lonergan
FULL-TIME LONDON IRISH 18 SAINTS 39
