Leicester Tigers 22 London Irish 15

Anthony Watson and Tom Homer went over as Irish outscored the LV= Cup holders by two tries to one, but still ended up losing at Welford Road.

Perhaps a more significant statistic was the penalty count which Exiles also led by 14 to seven after incurring the displeasure of referee Ian Davies.

This allowed Leicester fly-half George Ford to control the game and he kicked 17 points to ensure his side held on to win, despite the dismissal of prop Boris Stankovich for a high tackle on Darren Allinson with 16 minutes to go.

Irish got off to a bright start when Watson added to an early Ian Humphreys penalty by diving over to make it 8-0.

Topsy Ojo had made a lovely break down the right after Leicester had coughed up the ball and the winger glided past Mathew Tait before offloading out of the tackle just short of the line for Watson to score.

It was no more than Irish deserved.

But Leicester upped their intensity and hit back to score the next 19 points.

Rob Andrew scored under the posts after Irish had overthrown to Ed Slater from a lineout five metres from their own line.

And Ford followed up the conversion with two penalties to send Leicester in 13-8 ahead at half-time.

Early in the second half Exiles centre Shane Geraghty was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on, allowing Ford to kick the first of two more penalties to stretch Leicester's lead.

Soon after Geraghty returned from the sinbin, it was Leicester who were reduced to 14 men when Stankovich saw red.

And an excellent spell of Irish pressure ended with Homer marking his return after six games out injured by going over in the corner.

Humphreys, who had inexplicably missed an easy penalty in front of the posts earlier in the half, sent over a very good touchline conversion to reduce the deficit to 19-15.

But despite having the numerical advantage, Irish failed to get the possession or territory they needed in the last six minutes.

And although the last score came from another penalty by Ford, Irish at least?went away with a losing bonus point.

Exiles director of rugby Brian Smith, though, was disappointed that his side, which was very close to being full strength, was not good enough to see off a Leicester team that was missing more than 20 players due to injury and international commitments.

He said: "We got a decent start, but I thought they were very enthusiastic in the first half.

"If you look at the two teams, London Irish had more talent on paper, but you don't win games on paper.

"You win them on the park and I thought they were very enthusiastic and played to their potential.

"On the positive side we outscored them two tries to one.

"To do that at Welford Road is an achievement.

"But we got absolutely hammered with the penalties - 14 to?seven. That killed us.

"There was an avalanche of penalties which meant we could not get field position and get into the game."

Smith continued: "Their intensity was better.

"We did get a good start, but that was really a breakaway try and a pen.

"I think they were more enthusiastic than we were in the first half.

"We corrected that in the second half, but the penalties continued and we suffered as a result.

"Of course you want to win these games, but it has been a good get-out for us.

"We are going into a big game against Exeter at home (in the Premiership next Sunday) and we've come through with just a few bumps and bruises. No major damage.

"It will put us in the right sort of mindset for the challenge next weekend."

Source: http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/sport/rugby/london_irish/s/2124242_leicester_tigers_22_london_irish_15

seattle times seattle times walker recall censor pipa and sopa sopa pipa wikipedia blackout