Exiles keep Gloucester at bay

Rob Hoadley is tackled by Gloucester's Ludovic Mercer

London Irish 19-15 Gloucester

London Irish made it four wins out of six in the Premiership as they survived a gallant second-half comeback by Gloucester.

The Exiles were one of the favourites for the drop this year but continue to vie for second spot in the table with fellow underdogs Sale Sharks.

It was not a good last 40 minutes - we wanted to play well but we didn't

Conor O'Shea
London Irish captain

Irish fly half Barry Everitt proved to be one of the most influential players for the Exiles again, kicking everything that was put in front of him.

He had put the hosts 12-0 in front by the 27th minute.

London Irish then extended their lead when James Cockle scored the only try of the game.

Cockle was quick on his feet to chase down a ball that was not cleared cleanly from a scrum on Gloucester's goal-line, and Everitt converted.

In contrast to Everitt, Gloucester fly half Ludovic Mercier had a first half to forget.

The Frenchman managed to miss five penalties which normally he would have put away with his eyes shut.

Barry Everitt and Ludovic Mercier exchange views

But, after the break, the sides swapped roles, at least as far as the scoreboard was concerned.

Mercier and his Gloucester team-mates emerged rejuvenated and the fly half found his range, kicking five second-half penalties without reply.

The former Aurillac player kicked the visitors to within four points of London Irish.

The pressure was increased further for the home side when they went a man down as forward Simon Bates was sin-binned with seven minutes to go.

But London Irish clung on to their fragile lead for another important victory.

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London Irish: Michael Horak; Justin Bishop, Rob Hoadley, Brendan Venter, Paul Sackey; Barry Everitt, Darren Edwards; Neal Hatley, Richard Kirke, Rob Hardwick, Ryan Strudwick (Captain), Steve Williams, James Cockle, Declan Danaher, Chris Sheasby.
Replacements: Hentie Martens, Jarrod Cunningham, Richard Bates, Glenn Delaney, Naka Drotske, Mike Worsley, Simon Halford.

Gloucester: Chris Catling, Daren O'Leary, Joe Ewens, Robert Todd, Josh Frape, Ludovic Mercier, Dimitri Yachvili, Paul Woodman, Olivier Azam, Patrice Collazo, Rob Fidler, Ed Pearce, Adam Eustace, Andy Hazell, Junior Paramore.
Replacements: Andy Gomarsall, Terry Fanolua, Jon Goodridge, Chris Fortey, Federico Pucciarello, Jake Boer, Mark Cornwell.

Referee: Ian Rammage (Scotland)