Report: London Irish 30-18 Northampton Saints – Irish seal place in Premiership Cup Final
London Irish secured their place in the Premiership Cup final with a 30-18 victory over Northampton Saints.
Tries from Lucio Cinti, Josh Basham and substitute Eddie Poolman capped off a terrific performance in a back and forth encounter for Irish.
The Exiles will now play in their second Premiership Cup final in as many years, with Exeter and Sale fighting for the right to face Irish in the final.
Saints got off to a blistering start, applying pressure inside the Irish 22. The pressure resulted with Ollie Sleightholme touching down after just four minutes to give Northampton a 5-0 lead.
Irish started slowly in a game disrupted by penalties but got they spark they needed through Lucio Cinti. The winger charged down Tom Litchfield’s kick before the Argentinian touched down the loose ball in the corner.
Irish had to deal with a number of first half injuries. Winger Michael Dykes had to be withdrawn due to a head injury and did not return, while centre Matt Williams had his right ankle heavily strapped by medical staff after seemingly rolling it in a ruck.
Irish tended to kick to the corners when awarded penalties in the first half, but with five minutes left in the half Rory Jennings bucked the trend, converting a penalty kick from 40 metres out to extend the lead to 10-5.
The lead didn’t last long. Just two minutes later a slick pass from James Grayson set up Litchfield to score under the posts and make up for his previous kicking error.
Controversy ensued at in the closing minutes of the first half. Caolan Englefield was seemingly nudged by Saint’s winger Courtnall Skosan into Ben Loader while the Irish winger was collecting a high ball. The resulting collision meant a nasty fall for Loader but no foul play was given against Saints, much to the dismay of Irish players and fans.
Cinti touched down for his second try of the game at the end of the half, but the try was pulled back as an injured Sleightholme was in the way of the wingers path to the line, meaning there was obstruction. Referee Sara Cox played a penalty advantage during the action, and Jennings ended the half with a penalty kick converted right in front of the posts, giving the home side a 13-12 lead at the interval.
Irish aggression paid off early in the second half. Opting against a seemingly easy 3 points from a penalty, Irish opted to kick for the corner. Seconds later Josh Basham scored at the back of a rolling maul from the lineout.
Two James Grayson penalties brought Northampton within touching distance of the hosts, before Jennings restored a five-point lead for Irish heading into the final ten minutes.
Irish capped off a superb performance with a stunning try in the final two minutes. Eddie Poolman sealed the win following a sensational run from big-man Matt Cornish who faked out a Saints defender before offloading to Poolman.
Victory for Irish will see them face either Exeter or Sale in the Cup final at home on the 19th March.
