So near, so far for Exiles

LONDON IRISH are still searching for their first Guinness Premiership win in two months after a late revival wasn’t enough to prevent them going down 31-28 to rejuvenated Leicester Tigers yesterday.

Matt Smith scored either side of half time to help the Tigers — who had failed to win their last five on the road — to a seemingly unassailable 28-11 lead.

But the Exiles suddenly found belief in the last half hour, with replacement Mike Catt’s sumptuous cut-out pass sending Sailosi Tagicakibau over.

They went close on a number of occasions before Julien Dupuy knocked over a 74th minute penalty for Leicester.

A late Irish rally, including tries from man of the match Seilala Mapusua and England reject Steffon Armitage created a grandstand finish, but it was too little, too late.

Elsewhere, basement side Bristol blew a great chance to ease their relegation fears as Ugo Monye’s injury-time try pulled a 17-14 win out of the fire for Harlequins.

Saracens rode their luck to edge Sale 24-23, while Gloucester overcame Bath in a 36-27 thriller.

Danny Cipriani’s four penalties weren’t enough for Wasps, who lost 13-12 at Worcester, while Newcastle edged Northampton 19-13.