Exiles add to Leeds' woes
A 40-24 victory over Leeds at the Madejski Stadium saw London Irish maintain the top spot in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday.
Last Updated: 03/10/10 6:13pm
A 40-24 victory over Leeds at the Madejski Stadium saw London Irish maintain the top spot in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday.
An 18-point haul from Ryan Lamb plus tries from James Buckland, George Stowers and a brace from Sailosi Tagicakibau (2) ensured a comfortable win over the bottom club, who crashed to their fifth straight defeat.
Lamb missed two three-pointers early in the encounter but finally kicked his side into the lead after 17 minutes, as Leeds' ill-discipline repeatedly incurred the displeasure of the referee.
The visitors hit back immediately though, Ceiron Thomas sprinting in under the posts from a ruck 10 metres out after the Leeds forwards had shoved Irish back into their own 22.
The fly-half converted his own try to put his side into a 7-3 lead, but Lamb closed the gap with another simple penalty when Leeds were penalised again.
Minutes later Thomas missed the chance to restore his side's advantage, sending a 45-metre penalty attempt wide of the uprights.
Hendre Fourie became the first casualty of Leeds' continued infringements when, all too predictably, the referee eventually reached for the yellow card.
Irish took advantage immediately, Buckland running in a try from close-range and Lamb converting.
Lamb added three more with the last kick of the half to give the home side a 16-7 lead at the break.
Strong start
Thomas reduced the arrears with his first penalty after 44 minutes following a strong start to the second half by Leeds. But Lamb cancelled that out with a penalty soon after.
A great move from the Exiles found Tagicakibau, who beat a couple of defenders to score on 59 minutes and Lamb added the extras to make it 26-10.
Another score followed soon after when Stowers crossed on 65 minutes and Lamb again converted to put Irish out of sight.
The visitors continued to battle and were rewarded with a try from Fourie converted by Thomas,
But when Rhys Oakley became another casualty to the sin bin with eight minutes left there was only one way the game would go.
Tagicakibau scored his second try on 75 minutes, which Chris Malone converted to make it 40-17.
And Burrell picked up a consolation try for the visitors which Christian Lewis-Pratt converted with the last kick of the game.