London Irish registered their ninth Premiership win of the season on Saturday
with a 24-13 victory over Bristol to keep the heat on at the top of the League
table.
But the Exiles, who earned their win in front of a record crowd of 12,813
rugby fans celebrating St Patrick's Day were made to work hard for the victory.
The home side, who remain in contention to secure a place in next season's
lucrative Heineken Cup started well with forward Paul Gustard recording his
first ever try for the club after just four minutes.
Gustard, on loan from Leicester Tigers until the end of the season, benefited
after team mate Paul Sacky was brought down just short of the line. Gustard
picked up where Sacky left off to muscle his way over the try line and score.
Fly half Barry Everitt converted before adding two penalties before the
break.
But Bristol were not to be outdone. Argentinian fly half Felipe Contemponi
break Bristol's duck with a 30th-minute penalty.
Former England international David Reece then followed up a Contemponi effort
with the visitor's first try of the afternoon.
The winger was quick on his feet and intercepted a pass by the Exiles' player
coach Brendan Venter. He charged 40 metres up-field to score and significantly
reduce the deficit to 13-10 at the break.
Contemponi then went on to level the score at 13 a piece minutes into the
second half but that was where there challenge ended. London Irish clearly had a
wake up call at half time.
Everitt got the home side back in front with a 51st-minute penalty before
flanker Gustard touched down for his second score of the afternoon.
This time after London Irish had done the hard work to force Bristol to
ferociously defend their goal line, Gustard picked up from the Rucks to scramble
over and score.
Irishman Everitt then rounded off the afternoon with his fourth penalty to
make the final score 24-13.
Teams:
London Irish: Horak, Sackey,
Hoadley, Venter, Bishop, Everitt,
Martens, Worsley, Drotske, Hardwick, Strudwick, Williams,
Gustard, Danaher, Sheasby.
Replacements: Edwards for Martens (52),
Wheatley for Worsley (77), Kirke for Drotske (45),
Delaney for Williams (74), Halvey for Gustard (66).
Not Used: Brown, Thrower.
Tries: Gustard 2.
Cons: Everitt.
Pens: Everitt 4.
Bristol: Williams, Rees, Higgins,
Little, Christophers,
Contepomi, Blake, Johnstone, McCarthy, White, Sheridan,
A. Brown, Short, Lipman, Salter.
Replacements: C. Morgan for Williams (70),
Nelson for McCarthy (66), D. Bergamaschi for White (73),
Drahm for Sheridan (80), Best for Short (70),
Sturnham for Salter (60).
Not Used: Hodgson.
Tries: Rees.
Cons: Contepomi.
Pens: Contepomi 2.
Sin Bin: Rees (26).
Att: 12,873
Ref: J Barnard ((RFU)).
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