Exiles back on song

London Irish gave their play-off hopes a boost with a five-try demolition of Worcester at the Madejski Stadium.

It was the Exiles' first victory in the Guinness Premiership for two months against a side already looking as though they have little to play for.

Irish made the most of near-perfect conditions in a sun-drenched Berkshire and regularly split the first line of the Warriors' defence in the opening quarter, teenage full-back Tom Homer soon kicking them into a six point lead.

The inevitable first try came in the 12th minute, Warriors wing Marcel Garvey failing to fall on a Mike Catt grubber kick, allowing Seilala Mapusua in for the easiest of scores.

Continuity

Homer missed the conversion and as the half wore on the visitors came more into the game, and good continuity led to their first points after 26 minutes.

Kiwi lock Greg Rawlinson toppled over near the posts with Willie Walker converting.

The recovery was short-lived though as the four-point margin spurred the Exiles back into life, Samoan wing Sailosi Tagicakibau dancing his way to within a whisker of the try-line.

The ball was quickly recycled and it was flanker Richard Thorpe who scored in the corner, the impressive Homer adding the two extra points.

Walker narrowed the deficit to eight before the break with a penalty but the Exiles put the game beyond their opponents within 10 minutes of the re-start.

Homer kicked a 43rd-minute penalty and three minutes later poor defence at a lineout allowed scrum-half Paul Hodgson to burrow through before feeding prop Clarke Dermody to register his first try for the club.

Bonus point

Just moments later number eight Chris Hala'ufia crossed again to seal the bonus point after good work from Catt, and with Homer converting Irish were out of sight with a 33-10 lead.

Mapasua should have put in centre partner Elvis Seveali'i after a great run but a wild forward pass meant a try went begging under the posts for the hosts.

Walker charged down a Catt punt and then won the race to the line to give Warriors a second score before the hour mark, but the damage had been done and as the intensity diminished lock James Hudson was able to cross eight minutes from time to add further gloss to the win.

The victory takes London Irish back up to second place in the Guinness Premiership, just four points behind leaders Gloucester.