Homer helps Exiles go second

Tom Homer bagged a brace of tries on his Guinness Premiership debut as London Irish defeated capital rivals Saracens 27-14.

The 18-year-old winger scored in each half at the Madejski Stadium to help the hosts move into second spot in the table.

Richard Thorpe also crossed while Peter Hewat kicked four penalties for the Exiles, though he did miss all three of his conversion attempts.

The only bright spot in the derby defeat for Sarries was the performance of Wikus Van Heerden, the South African World Cup winner capping a fine first start with a try.

Reward

The powerful flanker forced his way over in the 20th minute as the visitors were rewarded for deciding to kick a penalty into touch, rather than go for the posts.

Although the normally reliable Glen Jackson missed the conversion attempt he did land two penalties in the opening 40 minutes to give Sarries a narrow 11-8 lead at the break.

All the Exiles' points at that stage had come in the opening seven minutes, Hewat's early penalty being followed up by Homer's first of the afternoon.

The England under-18 international rose highest to reel in veteran player-coach Mike Catt's high kick to the left wing to make an instant impact.

Thorpe could have scored in the opening half too had he not dropped a high pass with the line at his mercy from Hewat, who went on to miss a straightforward penalty from in front of the sticks.

Control

However, the Australian full-back did manage to slot over nine minutes into a second period that saw Irish take full control.

Given a second opportunity Thorpe made up for his earlier miss, accepting Topsy Ojo's pass to gallop over on the right to finish a flowing team move.

Saracens briefly threatened a response when Jackson knocked over a penalty but with a chance to put his side back in front, the fly-half missed another three-point opportunity just two minutes later.

From then on the Exiles pushed clear, despite having number eight Chris Hala'Ufia sent to the sin-bin with just over 10 minutes to play.

Hewat's pair of penalties in the closing stages giving them a cushion before new boy Homer had the last word.

The teenager, whose only two previous first team appearances had been as a replacement in the EDF Energy Cup, raced clear in the final minute to seal the result and deny the away team, who had Michael Owen yellow carded just before the finish, a losing bonus point.