London Irish move off the botttom with Worcester win

London Irish moved off the bottom of the Aviva Premiership standings by beating fellow strigglers Worcester Warriors 20-13 at the Madejski Stadium.

Both teams scored two tries each and the difference came down to kicks with Shane Geraghty scoring 10 points compared to Ryan Mills four points.

The result leaves Newcastle Falcons back down in 12th place although both teams are level on 12 points.

The first half was a good spectacle in excellent conditions for running rugby at the Madejski Stadium.

The highlight was a spectacular solo effort from Ciaran Hearn who chipped the ball up in the air before catching it and crossing under the posts for a magnificent try.

The second half was more open with a try from Andrew Fenby for Irish book-ended by tries for Worcester by Bryce Heem and Val Rapava Ruskin.

Discipline was a problem for both sides in the second half as Donnacha O’Callaghan and David Paice were both yellow carded.

During the latter’s period on the side-line the Warriors threatened to nick victory from the Exiles but the hosts held out to lift themselves from the base of the Premiership for the first time this season.

The defeat sees Worcester in a precarious position; one point above Irish and Newcastle Falcons, who fall to the bottom of the table.

The hosts scored the first try after a piece of individual brilliance from Hearn seizing upon his own chip to cross under the posts.

Shane Geraghty scored the conversion to put the Exiles into a seven-point lead.

Ryan Mills got the Warriors’ first score of the match in the 23rd minute by scoring a penalty. In the 32nd minute the visitors’ Bryce Heem was sent to the sin-bin with Geraghty slotting home the resultant penalty for Irish establishing a 10-3 lead.

Heem returned from the bin after the break and after multiple phases crossed in the corner for Worcester’s first try. Andy Symons’ conversion attempt fell just short to keep his side behind.

In the 50th minute the visitors had another player in the sin-bin as Donnacha O’Callaghan was yellow carded. The hosts capitalised four minutes later as Andrew Fenby touched down under the posts before Geraghty converted to stretch the lead to nine points.

The Exiles’ hooker David Paice was sent to the bin in the 62nd minute as the league’s basement side looked to grind out victory.

Warriors capitalised on the man advantage with a try from Ruskin who crashed over from close range.

The conversion was missed by Andy Symons as the Warriors sought to come back for victory.

Irish were awarded a penalty in the 73rd minute with Geraghty kicking successfully to secure victory for the Exiles with it finishing 20-13.

Final Score London Irish 20 (10) Worcester Warriors 13 (3)

Scorers

London Irish
Tries – Hearn, Fenby
Pen – Geraghty 2
Con – Geraghty 2
Drop –

Worcester Warriors
Tries – Heem, Rapava-Ruskin
Pen – Mills
Con –
Drop –

Match Officials
Referee :Wayne Barnes (162nd Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Ian Tempest & Ashley Rowden.
TMO: David Sainsbury.

Teams

London Irish

15. Andrew Fenby; 14. Topsy Ojo ; 13. Ciaran Hearn ; 12. Fergus Mulchrone; 11. Aseli Tikoirotuma ; 10. Shane Geraghty ; 9. Scott Steele; 1. Tom Court ; 2. David Paice ; 3. Halani Aulika ; 4. Matt Symons; 5. Will Lloyd; 6. Jebb Sinclair ; 7.Luke Narraway ; 8. Rob McCusker

Replacements: 16. Gerard Ellis; 17. Tom Smallbone; 18. Leo Halavatau; 19. Ian Nagle; 20. Tom Guest; 21. Darren Allinson ; 22. Johnny Williams; 23. Theo Brophy-Clews

Warriors

15 Chris Pennell , 14 Bryce Heem , 13 Wynand Olivier , 12 Ryan Mills , 11 Cooper Vuna , 10 Tom Heathcote , 9 Luke Baldwin , 1 Na’ama Leleimalefaga , 2 Niall Annett , 3 Nick Schonert , 4 Donncha O’Callaghan , 5 Tevita Cavubati , 6 Phil Dowson , 7 Matt Cox , 8 GJ van Velze (C)

Replacements : 16 Jaba Bregvadze , 17 Val Rapava Ruskin , 18 James Johnston , 19 Dan Sanderson , 20 Marco Mama , 21 Charlie Mulchrone , 22 Ryan Lamb , 23 Andy Symons