Bath too hot for Exiles
Danny Grewcock was Bath¿s hero as the discarded England second row scored a late try to seal a 22-20 victory.
Last Updated: 05/10/07 10:42pm
Danny Grewcock was Bath's hero as the discarded England second row scored a late try to seal a 22-20 victory.
Bath had been trailing for the majority of an enthralling clash, however they outscored the Exiles three tries to one - with Grewcock, who missed out on England's World Cup squad due to suspension, crossing for the vital score in the dying minutes.
Ian Davey and Daniel Browne also touched down for the West Country side, with Shaun Berne adding a penalty and two conversions.
The defeat was harsh on London Irish debutant Eoghan Hickey - with the 24-year-old, who arrived at the Madejski from Munster in the summer, landing five penalties.
Burrow
It was the first two of his kicks that put Irish into an early lead before his kick to the corner set up the position for David Paice to burrow over for a try from the resulting lineout.
However, Bath finished the half on a half as Jonny Fa'amatuainu found Davey and the winger showed electric pass to score after 36 minutes.
Berne, who had an unhappy day with the boot, converted and then added a penalty two minutes after the interval to see Bath trail by just a point.
Hickey, called up because of injuries to Shane Geraghty and Jeremy Staunton, kept the Exiles in front with two penalties.
However Bath pulled level when Daniel Browne scored following a forward drive from a lineout on 61 minutes and Berne converted.
Again Hickey edged Irish back in front with a penalty, however the Bath pack were dominating the game - with Grewcock's late try just reward for all their efforts.
