London Irish staring first relegation for 20 years in the face after defeat in relegation showdown with Newcastle Falcons
London Irish must win their last two Premiership games to have any chance of extending their 20-year stay in the top flight after losing 13-6 at relegation rivals Newcastle Falcons.
Two penalties from fly-half Greig Tonks gave the Exiles a slender lead at Kingston Park, but his wayward pass allowed Falcons wing Marcus Watson to race clear for the contest’s solitary and decisive try.
Victory in front of their biggest crowd of the season moved Newcastle seven points clear of bottom-of-the-table London Irish, whose remaining fixtures are against Harlequins and title-chasing Wasps.
Only a try-saving tackle from wing Andrew Fenby prevented Alex Tait from touching down and extending Newcastle’s lead before half-time, though the momentum swung after the interval.
Irish should have scored only for substitute Asaeli Tikoirotuma to attempt an offload when 10m out, while Fenby’s attempt to ground a Shane Geraghty grubber was ruled out by the television match official.
England centre Kyle Eastmond, meanwhile, was carried off on a stretcher as Bath fell to late tries from substitute David Seymour and No8 Mark Easter at Sale.
Prop Vadim Cobilas and wing Will Addison also crossed for the hosts, before Bath levelled through Semesa Rokoduguni and the kicking of England fly-half George Ford.