Lucky Irish edge a 10-try thriller

JERSEY Reds and London Irish shared 10 tries between them in an entertaining encounter, but it was the Exiles who claimed the win as a lastkick conversion by the hosts slipped just wide.

The visitors made a fast start with a jinking run by Matt Williams setting up Caolan Englefield for the opening score, and then Isaac Curtis-Harris burrowed over from close range to extend the lead.

Although Ben Woollett crossed for the Reds courtesy of an acrobatic leap in the corner, Irish pulled clear through a lineout drive, finished by Matt Cornish, and a blisteringly fast run to the line by Ollie Hassell-Collins.

The Academy product had the try line calling him again on his more native wide left channel, receiving a typically smart offload from Curtis Rona only for play to be called back for a stray HassellCollins boot in touch.

The Championship side got back into the contest before the break, with Woollett again involved on both occasions, firstly with a sharp finish in the corner and then with a leaping catch from a ball that bounced cruelly for the Exiles and deft transfer of the ball to Alex McHenry for a canter to the line.

Hugh O’Sullivan, one of more than 30 replacements introduced by both sides, darted through for the fifth Irish try, but the Reds finished strongly and were camped on the Irish line for long periods, with a series of close-range scrums.

The spell of pressure brought several penalties, one penalty try and yellow cards for Lovejoy Chawatama and Ben Atkins.

The ball was worked wide by the Stade Santander side after frustration in getting the ball over close to the uprights, Russell Bennett assisting Ryan Hutler to set up a game-tying conversion.

Bennett’s conversion vitally drifted left for the Premiership side to hang on and take honours in their preseason opener.