London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith has insisted that he was not bothered by the actions of Newcastle Falcons players in the dying moments of their 13-11 defeat at Kingston Park on Sunday.
Shane Geraghty had a chance to win it for the Exiles with a penalty kick in the last minute, but the windy conditions meant that the ball continuously blew off the tee, prompting complaints from the home side as they advanced which resulted in Darren Allinson holding the ball for his teammate to strike.
Despite the Falcons' protests, Geraghty's 40-yard kick fell agonisingly short of the posts, much to the dismay of Smith.
"We would have hassled the officials in the same way Newcastle did," Smith told reporters. "We are big boys and these things happen.
"It was pretty unusual, and if we had the same circumstances on the game we would have planted the ball on the tee and put the heat back on the referee. You push the boundaries as much as you can but that is sport and that is life."
London Irish host Northampton Saints in their next match on Sunday.
Matt Cotton
