Victory sends Exiles top

Geraghty score proves the difference at the Memorial

Last updated: 30th November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Victory sends Exiles top

Geraghty: Breakaway try

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London Irish moved to the top of the Guinness Premiership with a come-from-behind victory over Bristol at the Memorial Stadium.

But defeat for Richard Hill's side leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table with just one win in the first eight matches of the campaign.

A grim first period was dominated by the boot, with Peter Hewat scoring with two of his three penalty attempts before Sailosi Tagicakibau crossed for the first try of the game.

The winger evaded Shaun Perry, making his return from injury, and opposite wing Lee Robinson to sprint 40 metres to cross unopposed before the half-hour mark, although Hewat failed with the extras.

Topsy Ojo had a great chance to add a second score on the opposite flank following a perfect cross-kick from fly-half Shane Geraghty, but was unable to pick up cleanly and the attack came to nothing.

Gained ground

Bristol offered little with the ball in hand but the fightback began soon after the turnaround, Ed Barnes booting a 40-metre penalty after the Exiles were punished for not releasing at the ruck.

The hosts opted to kick more often than not and the ploy gained them ground on numerous occasions, and it was Barnes who set up the try that got them right back in it.

Another cross-kick found Robinson and although Ojo brought him to ground the ball was recycled to full-back Luke Arscott, who fed centre Luke Eves to cross for the score.

Barnes landed the conversion from a difficult position to get Bristol within a point, and the pack were buoyed by the success as the Exiles forwards lost control of the match.

Barnes put his side in front for the first time on 65 minutes but the lead didn't last long, the stand-off seeing a pass intercepted by opposite number Geraghty who ran the length of the field to score what proved the crucial try.

Hewat added the extras from under the posts but the hosts still had a chance to win it late on, opting to run a penalty 30-metres out.

However, the decision backfired as referee Wayne Barnes penalised the attacking side after winning the lineout ball, and Irish were able to hang on for the points.