Saracens Storm down Exiles A at Hazelwood

London Irish A went down to a well drilled Saracens Storm side 15-33 at Hazelwood in the Premiership Rugby Shield this evening. 

The visitors outscored the Exiles five tries to two to record their second consecutive victory.

Saracens took the lead after 11 minutes, scrum-half Tom Whitely darting over after a good break from the hooker. Manu Vunipola converted to make it 0-7. 

The Exiles A hit back shortly after, Rory Brand tasking a quick tap from five metres out to cut the deficit to 5-7. 

John Kpoku drove over for Saracens second try which was converted by Vunipola to extend the visitors lead to 5-14.

Wil Partington kicked a penalty to reduce the deficit momentarily but a second score for Kpoku and a turnover score just before half-time by winger Rotimi Segun gave Saracens Storm a 8-28 lead at the break. 

London Irish A edged the second half in terms of possession and territory and scored the first points after 58 minutes. The forward making inroads towards the Saracens Storm try line and eventually Chunya Munga dotted down for a try. Wil Partington converted to make it 15-28 with just over 20 minutes remaining. 

On a wet night at Hazelwood, the game saw plenty of kicking and the slippery conditions made it difficult to gather. The conditions played a part in Saracens’ fifth try, flanker Ollie Stonham reacting quickest to a kick through, sealing the victory for his side to make the final score London Irish A 15 Saracens Storm 33. 

London Irish A are away to Harlequins next Monday in Round 3 of the Premiership Rugby Shield. 

Scorers: London Irish: Tries: Brand (15), Munga (58); Conversions: Partington; Penalties: Partington (25); Saracens Storm: Tries: Whitely (11), Kpoku (22, 33), Segun (38), Stoneham (77), Conversions: Vunipola (4)

Score sequence (London Irish first): 0-7, 5-7, 5-14, 8-14, 8-21, 8-28, 15-28, 15-33

London Irish A: 

15. Wil Partington, 14. Jack Cooke, 13. Bryce Campbell, 12. Izzy Moore-Aiono, 11. Joel Medcraft, 10. Caolan Englefield, 9. Rory Brand, 1. Will Goodrick-Clarke, 2. Ben Atkins, 3. Luke Green, Barney Maddison ©, 5. Chunya Munga, 6. George Nott, 7. Josh Smart, 8. Isaac Curtis-Harris

Replacements: 16. David Porecki, 17. Harry Elrington, 18. Bryan O’Connor, 19. Sam Collingridge, 20. Fin Rossiter, 21. Ollie Brown, 22. Ciaran McGann, 23. Tom Smith 

Saracens Storm:

15. Elliott Obatoyinbo, 14. Ali Crossdale, 13. Josh Hallett, 12. Viliami Hakalo, 11. Rotimi Segun. 10 Manu Vunipola, 9. Tom Whiteley, 1. Rhys Carre, 2. Kapeli Pifeleti, 3. Sam Wainwright, 4. Jon Kpoku, 5. Callum Hunter-Hill, 6 Ollie Stonham, 7. Sean Reffell, 8. Andy Christie 

Replacements: 16. Theo Dan, 17. Sam Crean, 18. Harvey Beaton, 19. Cameron Boon, 20. Tobias Munday, 21. Ethan Benson, 22. Alex Day, 23. Charlie Watson

Referee: Adam Leal