Key victory for Exiles

London Irish kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the Heineken Cup as they scored seven tries in a 43-20 win over Leeds at the Madejski Stadium.

Despite their heroics in this year's competition, the Exiles are in danger of missing out on a place in the Heineken Cup next season after a disappointing Guinness Premiership campaign.

A bonus-point victory over relegated Leeds was a must for Brian Smith's side and they achieved it thanks to tries from Faan Rautenbach, Topsy Ojo, Declan Danaher, Tomas De Vedia, Paul Hodgson, Shane Geraghty and a penalty try.

Tom Biggs and Hendre Fourie replied for Leeds, who will be playing their rugby in National League One next season.

Hangover

The Exiles looked to be suffering a hangover from the 21-15 defeat by French giants Toulouse when they fell behind after only six minutes.

Poor defensive play enabled Leeds left wing Biggs to side step his way through the Irish line and run clear to touch down behind the post and leave full back Leigh Hinton an easy conversion.

But the home side, despite lacking several regulars through injury, hit back to add to Leeds' misery.

Fly half Eoghan Hickey landed two of his four conversion attempts for Irish with replacement full back Peter Hewat kicking two out of three.

Leeds stayed in touch until well into the second half with penalties by Hinton and replacement Adam Greendale, plus their second try, scored by flanker Fourie, converted by Greendale.

Irish cancelled out the early Leeds advantage in the 13th minute when Rautenbach finished off a move begun by Ojo and Sailosi Tagicakibau, powering his way in from close range.

The Yorkshire side managed to cross the home line for a second time in the 21st minute but number eight Adam Balding was prevented from grounding the ball by weight of numbers.

Brought back for an earlier offence, Leeds had the consolation of a penalty attempt but Hinton was off target.

When Leeds were caught offside in front of their own post, Irish, with their sights set on a much-needed bonus point opted for a scrum instead of a penalty kick.

The strategy paid off and, following two forward drives, Hodgson whipped out a long pass to put Ojo over in the corner.

Leeds were reduced to 14 men, temporarily, when Fourie was yellow-carded for pulling down a maul.

Irish capitalised straight away with Hodgson's short pass enabling Danahar to force his way over in the left corner to send his side in with a 17-10 interval lead.

Irish secured the bonus point with their fourth try in the 53rd minute when Peter Richards exploited the disorganised Leeds defence to kick ahead and collect before providing the final pass for De Vedia to touch down.

Another fine run by the lively Biggs provided the second Leeds try for Fourie but there was no stopping Irish.

They struck three more times with Hodgson squeezing over from close range, referee Sean Davey awarding a penalty try when Richards was blatantly obstructed by Andy Tuilagi as he gave his own kick and Geraghty adding the magnificent seventh with a solo effort.