Swans Match Report
| London Irish Ams 17 |  |
Staines Swans 23 |
Saturday 31st March 2012
National League 3 London & SE
National League 3 London & SE
"Bishay Breaks Irish hearts"
Former London Wasps and Staines youth player Chris Bishay scored the decisive try in a pulsating match at The Avenue to secure Staines Swans another season in National 3 South.
It was the Swans who made the first impact in this local derby with sensational wing Jon Webber gliding over to score against his old team after a well anticipated long pass from fly half Sean Flynn. Racing past two defenders touching down, giving Chris Wells his first opportunity to claim the extras.
With Wells guiding over two more penalties, Staines were now starting to pull away into a 13-0 lead.
Irish fought hard to get a foot hold in the game, their patience was rewarded with Fly half Ed Keohane breaking free, crossing the white wash and then adding his own extras.
As the half was closing out, Wells once again dissected the uprights giving the away team an impressive 16-7 lead.
Chris Wells adding the extras.
Irish tried hard to get back into the game pressing hard going forward with the ball in hand. That’s when the ref produced his first yellow card of the day to a London Irish prop for "killing the ball at the break down".
Down to 14 men Irish started to pick up the pace of the game and bombarded full back Andy Regan with a kick and chase strategy.
Confusion at the back from a high kick and the Referee decided Staines Captain Tom Cleary had "deliberately infringed" at the break down. Without hesitation the 2nd yellow card was produced much to the surprise of all.
Fly half Keohane duly stepped up to claim the 3 points on the stroke of half time. 10-16
The second half starting well for the home side, with Irish pushing hard to get back into a game they were not going to give up without a fight.
Predictably from a stolen line out in the Staines 22m, Irish pick and drove hard towards the Swans goal line. Only for No 8 Livett to find the space to cross over and claim a well deserved try.
With Keohane adding the conversion, the home crowd really got behind the team hoping for the comeback of the season. Alas it was not to be, with the Irish pushing hard, the ever alert Bishay used his nous and experience to intercept another Irish attack and race in from 70 meters to score under the post.
Chris Bishay taking to the field.
Wells calmly stepped up to claim the points, to give Staines a deserved 23-17 win in a game that had head coach Greg Knights gaining his 5th victory of 2012.
London Irish Ams 17 (10)
Tries: ; E Keohane, D Livett
Conversions: E Keohane 2
Penalties: E Keohane
Staines Swans 23 (16)
Tries: J Webber, C Bishay
Conversions: C Wells 2
Penalties: C Wells 3
STAINES SWANS were:
A Regan, L Pruce, C Bishay, C Wells, J Webber, S Flynn, J Robinson, D Walsh, L Shanahan, R Bachour, T Cleary (capt), K Boyd, J Kinnell, M Cornell, C West, T Jones, Will Samuels, J Lee.
With the Easter break coming up, Staines last 2 games of the season are both at the Reeves. With relagated Luton first up on the 14th April and then on the 21st April against a vastly improved Westcliff.
