London Irish produced a four-try, bonus point-winning performance on a perfect spring afternoon at Madejski Stadium to day to send give its retiring and departing players the perfect send-off and to thank its thousands of supporters in the 10,863 crowd for their loyalty over the past season.
In a performance that contrasted as dramatically as chalk and cheese Irish started out by attacking and finished by stretching the Worcester defence to the limit. Having seen the result of the early kick-off at Adams Park, the Warriors knew they had to go for a bonus point win. In a tense and competitive first half the visitors fought all the way and went in at the break only two points in arrears.
Sailosi Tagicakibau touched down for the Exiles in the 13th minute. The visitors' scrum half burst through for a try in the 19th with Shane Drahm adding the extras to give them the lead. It took a Robbie Russell try in the 33rd minute for Irish t regain the lead with Nils Mordt adding the conversion before Drahm kicked a penalty two minutes before the interval for a 12-10 scoreline.
Drahm regained the lead for the Warriors with his second penalty in the 43rd minute. Irish struck back 15 minutes later through Tagicakibau's second try, this one converted by Mordt. Drahm kept his side in sight of Irish with a third penalty in the 67th minute but Irish were in control as players tired rapidly in the heat.
Fittingly the final score of Irish's final home game went to captain Bob Casey who capped another great performance with a touchdown in the 74th minute. Mordt added the extras fro a final score of 26-16.
The victory consolidates Irish's sixth place in the Premiership table and positions them for any European competition that may take place next season.
In an emotional post-match ceremony Irish said farewell to departing and retiring players, special presentations were made to Barry Everitt, Neal Hatley and Justin Bishop and to Jumbo the wolfhound who retires after eight years as the club's official mascot.
A full match report follows.
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Scorers: London Irish: Tries: Tagicakibau 2 (13, 58), Russell (33), Casey (74); Conversions: Mordt 3. Worcester Warriors: Try: Powell (19), Conversion: Drahm. Penalty goals: Drahm 3 (38, 43, 67).
Scoring sequence (London Irish first): 5-0, 5-7, 12-7, 12-10 (half-time) 12-13, 19-13, 19-16, 26-16.
London Irish: T Ojo, J Bishop, N Mordt, S Mapusua, S Tagicakibau, R Flutey, P Hodgson (rep: R Rees, 73), N Hatley (rep: D Coetzee, 69), R Russell (rep: D Paice, 36), T Lea'aetoa, J Hudson (rep: N Kennedy, 49), B Casey (captain), K Roche (rep: D Danaher, 49), O Magne, P Murphy.
Worcester Warriors: S Drahm, L Best (rep: M Tucker, 27-32, 47-51), D Rasmussen, G Trueman, T Delport, J Brown, M Powell, T Windo (rep: D Morris, 65), A Lutui (rep: C Fortey, 60), C Horsman (rep: T Taumoepeau, 51), W Bowley (rep: P Murphy, 62), R Blaze, D Hickey (rep: C Quinnell, 65), P Sanderson (captain), K Horstman.
Referee: Mr Sean Davey (RFU)
Attendance: 10,862