Elvis Seveali'i's try 10 minutes from time consigned Saracens to their first league defeat of the season as London Irish came from behind to win a thriller at the Madejski Stadium 23-19. The leaders had sprinted into a 10-0 lead inside the first nine minutes through a drop goal from Alex Goode and a try from Justin Melck converted by Glen Jackson. But Chris Hala'ufia's try got the Irish back in it and fly-half Chris Malone kept them in the hunt as he kicked three penalties, which was matched by three more penalties from Jackson.
But with the Irish trailing by three points with time running out Seveali'i crashed over and they withstood late pressure to triumph and move back up to second in the table, two points adrift of Saracens. Elsewhere in yesterday's Premier League action, tries from Johne Murphy, Ben Kay, Lewis Moody and Jordan Crane set up Leicester for a comfortable 32-6 win over Sale in their clash.
Toby Flood also kicked 10 points for the dominant Tigers at Welford Road. The boot of Nicky Little helped inspire Bath to a 24-8 success against Gloucester. The fly-half slotted home four penalties and a conversion for the home side to end up with a personal tally of 14 points, with replacement Jack Cuthbert and Matthew Banahan getting late tries. Alasdair Dickinson got a late consolation score for Gloucester.
Basement side Leeds Carnegie picked up only their second win of the season as they won 16-15 at Newcastle. Alfie To'oala scored the only try of the game for Leeds with Ceiron Thomas adding nine points with his boot. All of Newcastle's points came through penalties from fly-half Jimmy Goperth. gcaygill@thenational.ae
