By Isaac Farnworth –
NICK KENNEDY expressed his delight at the “outstanding work rate and skill levels” from his young London Irish side as they cruised to a bonus-point win over Connacht Eagles in the British and Irish Cup.
Tries from Harry Elrington, Oliver Hoskins, Jason Harris-Wright, Tom Parton and Joe Cokanasiga sealed the 34-3 win which sees the Exiles extend their perfect record this season to eight wins from eight in all competitions.
“We made 15 changes to the team last week (which is) always difficult to do and you lose that continuity,” said Kennedy.
“(There were) some outstanding work rate and skill levels on show for such a young team (with) quite a few school leavers, 18-year-olds out there.
“They really carried on where our first team boys left off.
“(It has been) really pleasing to watch them make their home debuts. Quite a few of the boys have been season ticket holders down here or been coming down with their mums and dads over the years.
“You can see what it means to them – it means so much. It was just great to experience that with them today.”
Kennedy added: “It was great to see each one of our front row scoring.
“We rotate in our first team squad so everyone needs to be at a certain level so when the guys come in they maintain the high standards that they have set.”
It was Connacht who opened the scoring early on through Conor McKeon’s penalty in the second minute. Greig Tonks levelled for Irish with a penalty of his own which followed the Exiles’ dominance in the scrum.
Irish then pulled ahead with the first try of the afternoon from Elrington via the driving maul after the clean take from the lineout. Tonks duly converted brilliantly from the touchline to make it 10-3 to the Exiles.
Conor Murphy’s accurate kick into the corner quickly led to the second try after a Connacht overthrow was pounced on by Conor Gilsenan and Hoskins went over the line. Tonks again converted to increase Irish’s lead to 17-3.
Harris-Wright completed the hat-trick for the front row just shy of the half-hour after another rolling maul from the lineout saw Harris-Wright bundle over to score the try. Tonks just missed the conversion to the right to leave the score at 22-3.
As half-time neared, Connacht came close with a smart counter attacking play, replying to Irish’s dominance but the Exiles’ defence retreated successfully to impede the Eagles’ progress.
Following the turnover Irish attempted to launch their own attack that would surely seal the bonus point. Unfortunately, new signing Sentiki Nayalo was judged to have high tackled in the build-up and his yellow card was to be the last action of the first half.
It was a tough start to the second period with Irish a man down after Parton received a yellow card for a professional foul. However 18-year-old Parton returned and scored the bonus point try 11 minutes from time and Tonks again converted to make it 29-3 to the Exiles. Cokanasiga added a fifth try late on in the corner to leave the final score 34-3.
The Exiles head to London Scottish on Sunday as their focus returns to the league.
LONDON IRISH: Parton, Fowlie, Williams, Neal (Hearn 57), Cokanasiga, Tonks, Murphy (Allinson 53), Elrington (Hay 77), Harris-Wright (Gleave 77), Hoskins (Palframan 53), Lloyd, Sexton, Cooke (Frost 76), Gilsenan (c), Nayalo.
Tries: Elrington, Hoskins, Harris-Wright, Parton, Cokanasiga
Cons: Tonks x3
Pen: Tonks
Referee: Michael Hudson
Attendance: 3,109
