Saracens kept their home Premiership play-off hopes firmly alive when
they ran in five tries to see off London Irish in convincing style.
Within 30 seconds of the start Nigel Wray's Watford-based outfit had
demonstrated they meant business with former Australian international Tim Horan
touching down following a quick Saracens' tap penalty.
Fly-half Duncan McRae then added to the tally with a drop-goal before Irish
winger Darragh O'Mahony got the momentum going with another try after 19
minutes. McRae converted.
The traffic then continued to go one way. Richard Haughton scored the third
try of the afternoon following good work by Richard Hill, Danny Grewcock and
McRae.
The Exiles, who have endured a torrid week with the news that director of
rugby Dick Best is on his way out of the club, finally broke the duck in
first-half injury time with Barry Everitt before launching a gallant comeback.
The visitors continued to restore some pride with fly-half Everitt adding a
converted try on 49 minutes.
The visitors were then awarded a penalty try against England and Saracens
forward Grewcock, which Everitt duly converted.
Centre Geoff Appleford went on to score the Exiles' third try after 68
minutes, but London Irish's charge came too late and Saracens proved too strong
with Tony Roques and Gerald Arasa adding tries, and Kevin Sorrell a penalty to
clinch a crucial bonus point victory at a rain-soaked Vicarage Road.
Man of the match: Duncan McRae.
Saracens:
Tries: Horan, O'Mahony, Haughton, Roques, Arasa.
Cons: McRae 2.
Pens: Sorrell.
Drop Goals: McRae.
Team: Sparg, Haughton, Sorrell, Horan, O'Mahony, McRae,
Bracken, Flatman, Parkes, White, Davison, Grewcock, Chesney,
Hill, Diprose.
Replacements: Arasa for Horan (52), Cairns for Parkes (40),
Murray for Davison (52), Roche for Hill (40),
Roques for Diprose (73).
Not Used: Harbut, Walshe.
London Irish:
Tries: Everitt, Penalty, Appleford.
Cons: Everitt 2.
Pens: Everitt.
Team: Cunningham, Sackey, Appleford, Oliver, Bishop,
Everitt, Tonu'u, Hatley, Kirke, Halford, Strudwick, Williams,
Danaher, Dawson, Bates.
Replacements: Campbell for Tonu'u (66),
Worsley for Hatley (54), Hardwick for Halford (54),
Delaney for Williams (47).
Not Used: Ashforth, Alexopoulous, Cockle.
Att: 7,913
Ref: Brian Campsall (RFU).
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