Exiles earn Bath draw

London Irish came back from a 17-0 deficit to earn a 20-20 draw with play-off rivals Bath at the Recreation Ground.

The Exiles arrested a slump of three defeats on the bounce as they produced a sparkling comeback to stop Bath earning another home win.

Bath are unbeaten at home since October and tries from lock Stuart Hooper, wing Matt Banahan and full-back Joe Maddock fired them into a 17-0 lead at half time.

The visitors came out a different side in the second half though, and wing Adam Thompstone and centre Seilala Mapusua scored tries either side of a Shane Geraghty penalty to cut the deficit to four points.

A Butch James kick put Bath seven in front again, but Topsy Ojo's try 15 minutes from the end earned the draw.

Early burst

Three tries in the opening 31 minutes got Bath off to a real flyer, with England Saxons winger Banahan setting up the opening try for Hooper.

Bath doubled their lead when prop David Flatman led an attack, and the ball came out wide for Banahan to touch down with a couple of players to spare outside him.

Ojo then kicked an attempted defensive clearance right into midfield, and Bath then crossed again through Maddock, following good work from Banahan again.

James kicked just one of the conversions, but the way the game was going that did not seem to be a crucial factor as half-time came with the hosts cruising.

With London Irish's title hopes fading fast, they emerged a different team after the interval and hooker James Buckland freed Thompstone to run in unopposed to get a try on the board for Irish.

Frantic finish

Seilala Mapusua burst through on the angle to bring the Exiles back to within four points at 17-13 with 20 minutes left to play.

James kicked Bath further in front, but England winger Ojo's try and Shane Geraghty's conversion levelled the match with 15 minutes left to play.

Both sides went for the win in a frantic ending, but it was Bath who dominated possession and looked more likely to break the deadlock.

Irish held on though and will be far happier with the draw considering their position at half-time, and it is something to build on as they bid to get their Guinness Premiership title bid back on track.