Rugby Union: Penaud gives Irish agonising wait

THE GUINNESS was chilled but for once London Irish had lost their thirst. What a time and what a place to slip up. In their last appearance at Sunbury, where they have been partying 68 years, and before a record crowd of 6,700 the Exiles were soundly beaten by Saracens in a match that could have a crucial bearing on qualification for next season's European Cup.

Despite a grandstand finish during which they threatened to wipe out a substantial deficit, the Exiles were unrecognisable from the side that ran Bath ragged on this ground two weeks ago. On that occasion the Irish, who next season will share the Stoop with Harlequins, also put up a stout effort in the bar, entering the book of records by downing 13,200 pints of Guinness.

What they were particularly good at downing yesterday was the ball and it proved fatal against a hugely committed Saracens, for whom victory and a place in Europe was equally as important. The top six qualify and the Irish, with only one Premiership match remaining, away to Bedford next Saturday, now have an agonising wait with their rivals having games in hand.

After a bomb scare and the record attendance had delayed the start by 15 minutes, Niall Woods and Gavin Johnson exchanged penalties in the opening five minutes but thereafter Saracens played by far the more executive rugby.

One of the prerequisites for playing a running game is to actually catch the ball and in the first half, in particular, the Irish handling was awful. Knock-ons, fumbles and forward passes littered their approach play and Stephen Bachop, their playmaker-in-chief, was outplayed by the Frenchman Alain Penaud.

The Irish cause was not helped when, in the 22nd minute, they had their international prop Peter Rogers sent to the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle and Saracens took full advantage. After Penaud, who returns to France at the end of the season, confounded the Irish defence with a sublime reverse pass to George Chuter, the danger was only momentarily cleared. Paddy Johns, another in his last season with Saracens, drove towards the Irish posts and Johnson was on hand to cross for a try which he also converted.

After Penaud and Johns had again combined to good effect, Johnson landed a penalty and on the stroke of half-time the Irish conceded a try which characterised their performance. Rob Hardwick failed to collect a pass and the outstanding Tony Diprose capitalised to run 35 yards unopposed. Johnson's conversion pushed Saracens lead to 17 points.

The Irish needed an early score in the second half and they got it from a shambolic line out from which Kieron Dawson pounced to claim a try.

They should have scored again following a break by Peter Richards but Brendan Venter threw out a wretched forward pass to the unmarked Nick Burrows. Nevertheless, Saracens were penalised for offside and Woods kicked the penalty. Even so, the anticipated Irish backlash was put on ice while Penaud, with a drop goal, and Johnson, with his third penalty, gave Saracens a 26-11 lead midway through the second half.

The Irish finally brought the crowd to its feet with 10 points in two minutes. First Woods kicked a penalty in the 68th minute and then Conor O'Shea threaded his way through what, until then, had been an impregnable Saracens defence, to release Nick Harvey for a thunderous try. Wood's conversion left the Irish needing one more try to draw level but, in spite of seven minutes of injury time, they came up short.

London Irish: C O'Shea (capt); J Bishop, N Burrows, B Venter, N Woods; S Bachop, P Richards; P Rogers (N Hatley, 60), R Kirke, R Hardwick (K Fullman, 75), R Strudwick, N Harvey, J Boer, R Gallagher (I Fea'unati,60), K Dawson.

Saracens: G Johnson; R Thirlby, J Thompson, K Sorrell (S Ravenscroft, 75), R Constable; A Penaud, M Olsen (M Powell, 55); R Grau (D Flatman, 62), G Chuter, B Reidy, P Johns, K Chesney (C Yandell, 75), B Cole (P Ogilvie, 40), T Diprose (capt), R Hill.

Referee: R Goodliffe (RFU).