Peerless Pearson lifts Irish into fourth
TOM Pearson stole the limelight again in a crucial Exiles victory which was fully deserved and keeps them firmly in the play-off picture.
The young flanker showed off his immense skill, strength and desire and helped deliver a real blow to Saints’ own chances of a top four finish.
Pearson, 23, crossed for a fine try in the first half as Irish jumped up to fourth in the table and will now be hoping to clinch a play-off berth by winning their final two games against Saracens and Exeter.
Pearson said: “It keeps us right in the mix. It was always going to be a big game and we’re happy with the five points. We felt we could always score tries but it was also about keeping their total down. People keep thinking we might go away but we’re still right in there fighting for that play-off place.”
A fast, frantic and furious contest at the Gtech Stadium saw Paddy Jackson send an early penalty chance wide.
The contest, billed by Irish as a St Patrick’s Party, saw the men in green carve out a 17-10 half-time lead. Irish got the first punch in on a
night when so much was at stake. Heavy pressure on the Saints line finally saw the vast frame of So’otala Fa’aso’o charge his way across for the opening try after just seven minutes. Paddy Jackson,
who kicked 17 points, added the extras only for Fin Smith to reply with Saints first points – a penalty after the hosts had sinned at a ruck.
But Irish came charging back straight at the visitors with Pearson showing his desire to stretch his legs and power through two attempted tacklers and across for his side’s second try. It was typical of a young player many feel is destined to win a host of England caps in the future.
Powerful South African No.8 Juarno Augustus bulldozing his way over from close range and Smith’s conversion put the visitors to within four points.
Saints went down to 14 men by the break. They lost wing Tommy Freeman to the sin bin for a deliberate knock on when Irish sensed a potential try with an overlap on the right side.
Jackson kicked his first penalty on the stroke of half-time and Irish eyes were smiling even wider when Ben Loader took Benhard van Resnburg’s pass after Smith spilled the ball on the halfway line and the full-back showed his pace to gallop clear for the try.
Saints hit back spiritedly with Freeman making up for his earlier yellow card by showing real speed in bursting through the middle of the home defence and over the line. Yet, their defence was still leaking points and replacement Chunya Munga crashed over from close range for Irish’s bonus point try.
Henry Arundell was cheered onto the field as a replacement but the England youngster received groans when failing to keep hold of the ball as he dived over the line. It was a mistake he will remember for a long time but it made no difference. Jackson kicked a long range drop goal. England flanker Lewis Ludlam burst over for a fine Saints try near the end but it made little difference to the outcome. A Jackson penalty put the seal on another impressive win by the hosts.