Exiles end losing streak

London Irish ended a seven-match losing streak in the Aviva Premiership with a 25-16 victory over Worcester at Sixways on Saturday.

Full-back Tom Homer bagged 15 of the Exiles' points as the Warriors, appearing content at having secured their Premiership status for next season, produced one of their worst performances of the campaign.

It was not until the final quarter that the hosts showed any real fight, with late tries from Garvey and Benjamin giving some solace to their supporters.

But for most of the match Irish were comfortably the better side, with impressive performances from Bryn Evans and Ofisa Treviranus.

Irish started strongly and took a fourth-minute lead when Homer kicked a 30-metre penalty after Worcester were offside in midfield.

The full-back added another soon after, this time from 40m, but Andy Goode responded with a simple three-pointer for the Warriors.

Blow

Irish continued to dominate in the opening quarter, and when Goode carelessly knocked on an up-and-under from Delon Armitage, it gave the visitors the platform from which they scored their first try.

Irish battered the Worcester line and eventually a clever pass from Steve Shingler sent Joe Ansbro over for the score. Homer converted to give his side a 10-point lead.

Worcester were dealt a further blow when young flanker Jake Abbott was forced off with a leg injury. But Goode gave the Warriors a boost with his second penalty.

The Exiles' second came after 35 minutes, when a clever kick through from Jonathan Joseph gave Homer sufficient time to pick up and score the try.

The full-back was unable to convert however, although it still left Irish with a healthy 18-6 advantage at the break..

Worcester's lethargic first half performance saw coach Richard Hill make three half-time substitutions, with half-backs Goode and Jonny Arr replaced by Danny Gray and Shaun Perry, and Bruce Douglas introduced at prop.

Clawed

The changes however, had no immediate effect as Irish continued to be the dominant side and it took an excellent cover tackle from Perry to foil SailosiTagicakibau as the wing raced for the corner.

Homer had a chance to extend the visitors' lead but his 50m penalty rebounded back off the post but Irish remained in charge, prompting Hill to throw on three more substitutes entering the final quarter.

Things just got worse for the Warriors though, when Rasmussen was injured following a thunderous collision with Ansbro.

The centre received oxygen before being helped from the field and with Worcester having used all their back substitutes, replacement flanker Matt Kvesic was forced to play on the wing.

Despite these misfortunes, Worcester clawed their way into the game when Benjamin forced his way over for a try but Gray failed to convert.

However, that revival was short-lived as back came Irish, with Armitage receiving an inside pass and racing away to score the decisive try which Homer converted before Garvey said farewell to Sixways with a consolation score.