Exiles cut loose at Leeds
Winger Adam Thompstone scored a hat-trick to help London Irish hammer Leeds Carnegie 56-7 at Headingley.
Last Updated: 21/09/09 10:58am
London Irish handed out a 56-7 hammering at Headingley to leave Leeds Carnegie still searching for their first win of the new campaign.
The Exiles worked hard to open up a 23-7 lead by the interval before cutting loose in the second half, running in five tries without reply.
Adam Thompstone helped himself to a hat-trick after the break, as Toby Booth's side warmed up nicely for next week's London derby with Wasps.
While Irish look capable of making the Guinness Premiership final again Leeds look set for a tough campaign on their return to the top flight.
Brave fight
The home side fought bravely in the opening 40 minutes, though, scoring a try through flanker Kearnan Myall that Ceiron Thomas converted.
However they had already conceded 16 points by that stage, including an early penalty try, as the Exiles picked up from where they left off after their 40-10 victory over Gloucester last Sunday.
Leeds did briefly respond when Myall intercepted a pass from just inside his own half and then raced in under the posts, leaving Thomas an easy kick.
The forward's effort was very much against the run of play, though, and Irish extended their advantage when Chris Hala'ufia crossed in the right corner.
The opening half came to an end with the away side down to 14, lock Nick Kennedy sin-binned after throwing Leeds scrum-half Andy Gomarsall to the ground after already connecting with his throat.
Numerical advantage
Thomas missed the resulting penalty and, in truth, Carnegie never looked likely of making the most of their numerical advantage.
Elvis Seveali'i's fine break set up Thompstone's first of the afternoon, albeit aginst the run of play, and soon after Hala'ufia burrowed his way over out wide on the right to secure the Exiles the bonus point after just 52 minutes.
Thompstone completed his treble by touching down twice, his tries sandwiching a yellow card for Hala'ufia for a dangerous tackle.
Sailosi Tagicakibau rounded out the scoring in the closing seconds and, having set up his colleague with a fine pass, Lamb slotted over the conversion attempt to finish a satisfying afternoon with a 21-point personal haul.
