Leeds refuse to accept the drop

Leeds Carnegie kept their slim hopes of Aviva Premiership survival alive on Sunday as they stunned London Irish 27-19 at Headingley Carnegie.

The Yorkshiremen trailed 16-3 during the first half but Luther Burrell crossed the line shortly before the break and Daniel Browne and Mike MacDonald added further tries after the break.

Boosted by their returning England duo Hendre Fourie and Steve Thompson, Leeds had the edge up front and fully deserved their win.

Irish led with a fifth minute penalty from fly-half Chris Malone, who then picked up an injury and was replaced by Ryan Lamb. Lamb kicked two penalties before Leeds got off their mark in the 26th minute with their first penalty of the match from fly-half Adrian Jarvis.

However, in the 34th minute Irish produced a devastating try after Daniel Bowden and Topsy Ojo combined to send Seilala Mapusua over from close range. Lamb added the extras but Leeds hit back shortly before the break when Jarvis' superb flighted kick was caught and grounded by Burrell in the left-hand corner.

Jarvis added the extras from close to the touchline and Leeds were trailing 16-10 at the break.

In the 56th minute, Lamb dropped a goal but the response from Leeds was remarkable and in the 63rd minute Jarvis sent Browne bustling over from close range.

Leeds claimed their third score in the 70th minute when MacDonald touched down and put the hosts ahead for the first time in the match. Jarvis converted and then added his second penalty to deny Irish a losing bonus point.

The scorers:

For Leeds Carnegie:
Tries: Burrell, Browne, MacDonald
Con: Jarvis 3
Pen: Jarvis

For London Irish:
Tries: Mapusua
Con: Lamb
Pen: Malone, Lamb 2
Drop: Lamb

Leeds Carnegie: 15 Michael Stephenson, 14 Henry Fa'afili, 13 Luther Burrell, 12 Lachlan MacKay, 11 Peter Wackett, 10 Adrian Jarvis, 9 Scott Mathie, 8 Alfie To'oala, 7 Hendre Fourie, 6 Kearnan Myall, 5 Marco Wentzel (capt), 4 Daniel Browne, 3 Phil Swainston, 2 Steve Thompson, 1 Gareth Hardy.
Replacements: 16 Scott Freer, 17 Mike MacDonald, 18 Gareth Denman, 19 Sean Hohneck, 20 Danny Paul, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Ceiron Thomas, 23 Scott Barrow.

London Irish: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Seilala Mapusua, 12 Dan Bowden, 11 Jonathan Joseph, 10 Chris Malone, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 George Stowers, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Jamie Gibson, 5 Bob Casey, 4 Nick Kennedy, 3 Faan Rautenbach, 2 James Buckland, 1 Clarke Dermody (capt).
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Max Lahiff, 18 Paulica Ion, 19 Kieran Roche, 20 Richard Thorpe, 21 Adam Thompstone, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Darren Allinson.

Referee: Rob Debney
Assistant referees: Rhys Davies, Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts