London Irish thrash Dax
London Irish maintained their grip on top spot in Pool One of the European Challenge Cup with a 59-7 victory over Dax.
Last Updated: 11/12/08 10:43pm
London Irish claimed a 59-7 victory over Dax in the European Challenge Cup at the Madejski Stadium on Thursday.
The Exiles scored eight tries and Peter Hewat kicked 19 points in a resounding success that keeps them flying high at the top of Pool One.
They have now claimed four straight bonus-point wins and look destined for a place in the quarter-finals, while defeat leaves Dax still looking for their first victory in the competition.
Elvis Seveali'i scored the opening try in the fourth minute, Hewat's floated pass saw Seveali'i hand off a poor attempted tackle from Florian Argel before turning on the pace to cruise home from 40 metres.
Just six minutes later, following some more suspect Dax defence, Hewat extended the lead with a long-range penalty.
Clever footwork
Almost immediately from the re-start the Exiles struck again, this time through second row James Hudson, but it was Argentine scrum-half Alfredo Lalanne's clever footwork and acceleration that made the try. Hewat's conversion extended his side's lead to 17-0.
Any thoughts that Dax would lie down and accept a beating were misguided, as they steadied the ship and began to cause a few problems, although they lacked the killer instinct to covert any of their chances into points.
There was no further scoring in the first half but it took full-back Delon Armitage only six minutes of the second period to score the hosts' third try.
Armitage stepped past Gavin Williams to power over the whitewash. Hewat maintained his 100 per cent kicking record for the night to lay a platform from which to secure the bonus point.
And London Irish had the game secured after 50 minutes when Seveali'i added a second from short range.
Geraghty impact
Booth introduced Shane Geraghty in the 54th minute and the replacement fly-half's impact was almost immediate.
Shortly after coming on Geraghty sent Topsy Ojo careering over the line and Warren Fury barged his way to touch down with 14 minutes remaining for London Irish's sixth try.
Dax did muster a try of their own as the game drew to a close, Jannie Bornman crossing after a loose London Irish pass turned possession over.
But fittingly it was the home side who had the final say, Fury adding his second as the Dax defence parted with far too much ease, before Hewat bagged a try of his own to finish proceedings off.
