Tom Homer the hero in defining win
Sportsdesk • Published 1 Dec 2011 15:06
0 Comments
Share this
See also:
By James Walker-Roberts
LONDON Irish head coach Toby Booth believes his side's gritty 21-17 win over rivals London Wasps could be a, 'defining performance' in their season.
Tom Homer was Exiles' star at the Madejski, kicking all 21 points to help the hosts return to winning ways after back-to-back defeats in the Heineken Cup.
And, while the match was far from compelling viewing, Booth was impressed that his side, who were missing four suspended players, managed to emerge as winners.
"It certainly wasn't a vintage display but it was a very important one," he said.
"It may not have been easy on the eye but it could be a defining performance because we've tipped the scale from being competitive to winning. It's proof that we are capable of winning ugly, which I think some people had doubted previously.
"We needed that result, so from our point of view it's a good reflection of our hard work and keeps us where we want to be."
The victory, which lifts Irish to third in the Aviva Premiership, was even more impressive considering Exiles were without the likes of Shontayne Hape, Delon Armitage and Chris Hala'Ufia.
New signing Ofisa Treviranus, who joined the club last week, started the match on the bench and watched on for 80 minutes as Homer gave a kicking masterclass.
Nicky Robinson kicked four penalties for the Wasps in response and Christian Wade scored the only try of the match in the final minute to secure the visitors a losing bonus point.
By then it was too late for Wasps, who took the lead through fly-half Robinson after 15 minutes but soon found themselves pegged back by Homer.
The kicking duo exchanged penalties in a bland first period and it was Homer who had the final say to give his side a 9-6 lead at the break.
Robinson made it 9-9 early in the second half and the game threatened to burst into life as Wasps pressured the Irish front row.
However, Exiles gained control with four more penalties from Homer and some well-directed kicks from stand-in fly-half Adrian Jarvis.
Robinson took Wasps to double figures with his fourth penalty of the afternoon and they snatched a bonus point late on thanks to Wade's try in the right corner.
The victory lifts Irish to third in the Premiership and next Saturday they travel to second-placed Saracens (3pm ko).
This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 01 Dec 11
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.
