European Shield Rugby: Exiles gain huge win

There was a huge win for London Irish in today’s round of Parker Pen Shield matches.

The Exiles continued their impressive start to the season with a 71-5 hammering of Valladolid in Spain.

Brendan Venter’s men grabbed 10 tries, with flanker Eddie Halvey grabbing a hat-trick and wing man Paul Sackey notching a brace.

Full-back Jarrod Cunningham also landed nine conversions and a penalty as Irish maintained their 100% record and position at the head of Pool Six.

Two tries in the final three minutes gave Leeds Tykes an unlikely 30-27 Parker Pen Shield victory over Pontypridd at Headingley this afternoon.

The Welshmen dominated for long periods and when Gareth Wyatt intercepted Dan Parks’ long pass to score a try which Ceri Sweeney converted, they led by 11 points with just seven minutes remaining.

But Carl Hogg battered his way over from close range and as the clock ticked into overtime, James Ponton charged down Gareth Barber’s kick from the base of a scrum just inside the Leeds half.

Parks took it on and fed Scott Benton who raced away to score under the posts.

Parks added a third conversion to his three penalties and first-half try to send Leeds second in the table and set up the prospect of a mouthwatering return in Wales next week.

Bristol maintained their grip on the top of Pool Five with a 42-16 victory in Italy against Viadana scoring four tries in the second half of a tempestuous game which also saw five men sin-binned.

Bristol led 13-6 at the break, flanker Adam Vander grabbing the opening try.

The Premiership side cut loose after the interval, with former England winger David Rees then scored his first try of the game from a long pass from Higgins before Viadana scrum half Harley Crane picked up at the base of a scrum to score the home side’s second try.

Bristol’s next try started from a quick tap penalty to full-back Matt Carrington for centre Phil Christophers to race away, with Contepomi adding the conversion. Rees scored his second from a Carrington pass before the former Calvisano player scored a try himself.

Saracens also won comfortably at home to lowly Bologna.

Sarries’ win was even more impressive, topping the century mark in a competition record 113-3 triumph over Bologna at Vicarage Road.

The Londoners grabbed 17 tries in total, with winger Darragh O’Mahony collecting four himself in 15 devastating second-half minutes.

Hooker Matt Cairns scored a hat-trick, with Kieran Roques and Richard Haughton two each. Jannie de Beer landed 13 conversions.