A last-gasp penalty by London Irish fly-half Barry Everitt handed the Exiles a
much-needed victory over Saracens in a scrappy match at Vicarage Road.
London Irish went into the Zurich Premiership clash intent on victory as they
looked to move off the foot of the table.
The visitors got off to a perfect start, opening their account after just two
minutes.
Saracens full-back Thomas Castaignede hooked a drop goal attempt which his
opposite number Michael Horak collected before and charging up field. Saracens'
Tom Shanklin dragged Horak down but the full-back scrambled his way over the
line.
But careless errors by Irish cost them dear and kept Saracens in touch.
The Exiles could not capitalise on the sin-binning of Matt Cairns for punching
James Cockle and with Saracens fly-half Nicky Little converting three penalties,
the home side took the lead at half-time.
Everitt put London Irish back in charge after 48 minutes with a drop goal but
the visitors afternoon worsened when Ireland international Justin Bishop was
stretchered off the field with a suspected shin injury.
Youngster Kevin Barrett replaced Bishop but the loss of the winger could prove
crucial as Irish attempt to cling on the their top-flight status with tough
games to come against Bath, Newcastle, Leicester and Bristol.
And the hard work continued for London Irish as Little converted an
82nd-minute penalty to seemingly snatch victory for Saracens.
But the tables turned and it was Saracens who paid the price for an untimely
error when dissent at a penalty brought the kick closer to the posts.
The result handed Everitt a kickable attempt at goal and despite an erratic
afternoon the Irishman converted.
Teams:
Saracens: Castaignede, Haughton, Shanklin, Horan, O'Mahony,
Little, Bracken, Cairns, Califano, Storey, Benazzi, Yandell,
Peacey, Roques, B. Russell.
Replacements: Marsters, R. Russell, Hooper, Skirving, Kirton,
Goode, Johnston.
Pens: Little 4
Sin Bin: Cairns (40).
London Irish: Horak, Sackey, Burrows, Venter, Bishop, Everitt,
Edwards, Worsley, Drotske, Hardwick, Strudwick, Casey, Cockle,
Dawson, Sheasby.
Replacements: Barrett, Mapletoft, Danaher, Flavin, Roche, Hatley,
Halford.
Tries: Horak.
Pens: Everitt 2.
Drop Goals: Everitt.
Att: 6,089
Ref: Roy Maybank (RFU).
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