Exiles too good for Chiefs
Delon Armitage scored a try just 40 seconds into his return from suspension to help London Irish beat Exeter 39-17.
By Paul Higham Twitter: @SkySportsPaulH
Last Updated: 26/03/11 7:14pm
Delon Armitage scored a try just 40 seconds into his return from suspension to help London Irish beat Exeter 39-17 to enhance their play-off chances.
Armitage was banned for eight matches and missed England's RBS Six Nations campaign after abusing an official during a routine drug test.
Knowing he has to make an impression in World Cup year, Armitage wasted little time in reminding Martin Johnson of his credentials as he crossed for a try just 40 seconds into his comeback.
His younger brother, flanker Steffon, also got in on the act as he weighed in with two tries while replacement hooker David Paice crossed for the other try in the match.
Winger Tom Homer kicked 19 points as the Exiles remained unbeaten at home since New Year's Day, while Exeter, who had won three of their last four, managed just one try from prop Chris Budgen and four penalties from fly-half Gareth Steenson.
Fast start
In the opening minute, Daniel Bowden sliced through the visiting defensive line with a sliding kick into the corner that Armitage collected for what looked an easy score.
Armitage was in the thick of things again as he started a full-length try for the Exiles after just five minutes, which was finished off by his younger brother Steffon.
Steenson got Exeter on the board with a penalty in the ninth minute, but Horner quickly responded with two of his own to extend the home side's advantage.
A rare mistake from Delon Armitage, when he kicked the ball dead from inside his own 22, handed Exeter a way back into the game as they scored their only try from the resulting scrum.
Powerhouse Fijian centre Sireli Naqelevuki burrowed in to within a metre of the line before prop Budgen finished off the move by driving over from close range.
Discipline
Despite Irish dominating, they gave away three penalties early in the second half, and Steenson kicked them all to draw within just a single point at 18-17 down.
A powerful response came from the hosts though, and after several phases of pressure close to their own line Exeter broke with flanker James Scaysbrook being sin-binned in the 56th minute.
That gave the Exiles the key to closing out the game, as they scored another try from a scrum with Paice, coming off the bench after nearly four months out with an ankle injury, being driven over by his dominant pack.
Horner booted a huge penalty from inside his own half to increase the lead to 28-17, before Steffon Armitage secured the bonus point for Irish nine minutes from time.
Horner added two more kicks to make it five penalties for him on the day, as London Irish kept themselves well in the play-off hunt for a play-off place.
