Irish defy red card with late winner
DECLAN Kidney is relishing another fierce battle with Bath as the two English rivals prepare for a crunch European date at The Rec.
Kidney’s battling Irish set up a thrilling Challenge Cup quarter-final tie thanks to Curtis Rona’s last gasp converted try at Brentford Community Stadium.
Rona pounced for the decisive score for Irish, who played most of the second half with 14 men, and for ten minutes 13, to leave Cardiff Blues shellshocked.
Jarrod Evans looked to have broken Irish hearts with a drop-goal three minutes from time but it is the Exiles who will head to the West Country.
Delighted director of rugby Kidney, whose side beat Bath 36-33 in the Premiership last weekend, enthused: “Bath will have a point to prove after last week and it will be another hard fought, close game between the two sides. We know what to expect from them so we will go there confident.
“This was a thrilling game, and an exciting win. Anything to attract the fans to buy their season tickets!
“These boys fight to the end and this time they got their just rewards. We managed to take our chances and stay patient.”
Irish looked up against it when prop Will Goodrick-Clarke was shown a red card for a dangerous high hit on Dillon Lewis. Wing Ben Loader was also sent to the sin bin for a high fend on Tomas Williams in the second half.
Cardiff cancelled out Paddy Jackson’s early penalty and soared into a 17-3 lead courtesy of some fine attacking rugby. Hooker Kristian Dacey surged over from close range for the first try which Jarrod Evans converted, and was soon doing the same when lock Seb Davies’ kick-through was pounced upon by wing Josh Adams to drive over.
An Evans penalty increased the lead but Irish replied instantly with a sublime inside offload from Jackson to Loader who burst over the line for his third try in six European appearances.
Jackson reduced Blues’ lead to just four points with a penalty but Irish then lost Goodrick-Clarke.
The blow only galvanised the hosts with centre Theo Brophy Clews racing through before setting Ollie Hassell-Collins clear down the left to run over and Jackson’s conversion levelled matters.
Loader’s sin-binning followed – somewhat harshly – before replacement wing Jason Harries raced over for Blues just after entering the game. Lloyd Williams had been on the field for just one minute when Harries sent him clear for another Blues score.
Irish hit back strongly with replacement Terrence Hepetema and then the outstanding HassellCollins crossing for quick tries. But Evans’ drop-goal three minutes from time seemed to have won the day for Blues before Rona burst through for the winning try to put Irish into the last eight.
Cardiff boss Dai Young said: “It’s hugely disappointing and frustrating. We knew they were good with ball in hand, but we got ourselves in pretty strong positions... and let them come back in again.”