Irish fight back and pip Chiefs
Ldn Irish 18 Exeter 14
LONDON IRISH boss Les Kiss saw his side leapfrog Chiefs in the Premiership and declared they are made of the right stuff.
Irish were 14-0 down in the first quarter but battled back to lead at the break and in a scoreless second half more than made their point to the rest of the league.
Australia second-row pairing Adam Coleman and Rob Simmons led the way and back-rower Tom Pearson had a stormer.
Kiss said: “Character is an element of our game we’re proud of and it shone through.
“We’re learning what it takes to stick to the plan and back ourselves. A lot of players came up with big, physical moments.”
The Chiefs scored twice through Olly Woodburn and Patrick Schickerling in the first 17 minutes.
But Matt Cornish started and finished a move for Irish’s first try, and Paddy Jackson kicked a couple of penalties.
Just before the break Exeter were camped on the Irish line but bungled the chance. The ball went up the other end and Jackson fed Ben Loader to offload for James Stokes to score.
Chiefs boss Rob Baxter said: “It was the defining point of the game.” LONDON IRISH: Tries: Cornish, Stokes. Con: Jackson. Pens: Jackson 2.
EXETER: Tries: Woodburn, Schickerling.
Cons: J Simmonds 2.