Exiles inflict another defeat on Quins

8:00pm Saturday 25th October 2008

London Irish staged another smash-and-grab raid at the Twickenham Stoop to beat Harlequins 32-17 and keep their EDF Energy Cup ambitions alive.

The Exiles scored 27 unanswered points, including three tries in seven second-half minutes, to overturn a 17-5 deficit and snatch a dramatic victory.

Only a month ago, London Irish fought back from 20-3 down to beat Harlequins in the Guinness Premiership.

Quins were in charge after a bright opening earned them a 12-0 lead with tries from lock George Robson and winger Charlie Ainsbury.

London Irish responded just before the interval through replacement loose forward Richard Thorpe.

Quins re-established their 12-point advantage after the re-start with a lineout drive from Neil McMillan - but the Exiles then sparked into gear with quickfire tries from Peter Hewat, Adam Thompstone and James Bailey.

Hewat then rounded off the victory in the closing minutes after picking off an interception to seal the try-bonus point.