Premiership: Irish see off Welsh 24-9 in the battle of London's exiles
Last Updated: 26/12/14 8:12pm
London Irish secured a vital Premiership victory as they brushed aside bottom-of-the-table London Welsh 24-9 at the Madejski Stadium where both sides had a player sent off.
The hosts, who outscored their fellow Exiles by three tries to nil, claimed only their third win of the season after pulling clear during a one-sided second half.
Alex Lewington, Geoff Cross and Tom Court touched down for Irish while Will Robinson kicked three penalties for the visitors.
In fact it was Robinson who booted Welsh into a 17th-minute lead which they held for 10 more until Tom Homer did likewise to level matters at 3-3 apiece.
Lewington then collected Shane Geraghty’s chipped pass to go over for the opening try of the match, with Homer adding a conversion after half an hour.
Four minutes later the contest was reduced to 14 men-a-side after Daniel Leo and Tom May saw red following a skirmish.
Shortly afterwards Robinson registered his second penalty of the afternoon to leave Welsh with a four-point deficit at the break.
However, 10 minutes into the second half Irish moved nine points clear thanks to prop-forward Cross who scrambled over following a driving maul, and Homer extended the margin with his second successful conversion of the afternoon.
Robinson cut the deficit to nine points on 58 before prop Court sealed the win as he touched down thanks to another rolling maul 12 minutes from time.
And when Homer took his day’s work to nine points, Welsh were forced to accept an 11th straight loss of the season.
