Date: Sat 05 Jan 2013

George Skivington scored two tries in a memorable victory for London Irish this afternoon against Gloucester at Kingsholm.

Skivington was part of a dominant Exiles forward pack that muscled up all afternoon and was rewarded with their first victory on the road this season.

Gloucester started the contest as they had finished the previous three, on the front foot. Freddie Burns put them on the board within two minutes, the first of his four penalty goals, before Irish had even touched the ball.

The Exiles came back fighting and were level on 11 minutes with a Steven Shingler penalty which came about after two dominant Irish scrums.

What was evident this week was how clinical Irish were. Every time they were in the Gloucester final third they came away with points. The first real attacking chance they had, they scored from. The pack controlled the ball well and when released to the backs they crossed the gain line. Tagicakibau was tackled four metres short of the Gloucester line and as a result Skivington barged his way over for the opening score.

Freddie Burns cut the deficit to two points before Skivington pounced for his second try. Pat Phibbs, who started his first match for the Club, picked up a loose ball and kicked down the throat of winger, Shane Monahan. The Irishman made a hash of the kick and as a result Phibbs regathered, offloaded to Skivington who dived over. Shingler added the conversion to make it 15-6 to Irish at half time.

Irish were in a position they hadn’t been for a while and the second half was certainly a nervy affair. Freddie Burns kicked two penalties to cut the lead to just three points, however the desire and intent shown by Irish proved how badly they wanted this scalp.

They defended outstandingly well, with excellent line speed and controlled the ball when they had to. Tom homer kicked a penalty eight minutes from time and Irish had their win.

The Exiles travel to Mont-de-Marsan next week for their next Amlin Cup tie.

Score sequence (London Irish first): 0-3, 3-3, 8-3, 8-6, 15-6, 15-9, 15-12, 18-12

Scorers: Gloucester: Penalties: Burns (2, 35, 58, 62); London Irish: Penalties: Shingler (11), Homer (72); Try: Skivington (23, 38); Conversions: Shingler

Gloucester team

15. Rob Cook; 14. Charlie Sharples; 13. Mike Tindall (Captain); 12. Billy Twelvetrees; 11. Shane Monahan; 10. Freddie Burns; 9. Jimmy Cowan (rep: Dan Robson, 52); 1. Dan Murphy (rep: Nick Wood, 53); 2. Huia Edmonds; 3. Shaun Knight; 4. Tom Savage; 5. Will James; 6. Sione Kalamfoni; 7. Akapusi Qera (rep: Matt Cox, 53); 8. Ben Morgan

Replacements: 16. Darren Dawidiuk; 17. Nick Wood; 18. Dario Chistolini; 19. Peter Buxton; 20. Matt Cox; 21. Dan Robson; 22. Tim Molenaar; 23. Martyn Thomas

London Irish team

15. Tom Homer; 14. Jonathan Joseph; 13. Sailosi Tagicakibau; 12. Steven Shingler; 11. Marland Yarde; 10. Ian Humphreys (rep: Shane Geraghty, 52); 9. Patt Phibbs (rep: Jack Moates, 75); 1. Max Lahiff; 2. David Paice (rep: Scott Lawson, 39); 3. Halani Aulika (rep: Leo Halavatau, 69); 4. George Skivington; 5. Bryn Evans (Captain); 6. Matt Garvey (rep: Jamie Gibson, 74); 7.Jebb Sinclair; 8. Chris Hala’ufia

Replacements: 16. Scott Lawson; 17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa; 18.Leo Halavatau; 19. Kieran Low; 20. Jamie Gibson; 21. Guy Armitage; 22. Shane Geraghty; 23. Jack Moates

Referee: David Rose

Attendance: 13,171