London Irish still in rich vein of form

London Irish continued their rich vein of form to run Bristol ragged in a one-sided English Cup fourth round tie at the Memorial Stadium yesterday.

The rampant Exiles put Premiership Two leaders Bristol under incessant pressure through some thrilling counter-attacking rugby. South African centre Brendan Venter scored two of Irish's seven tries although Bristol regained some self-respect by posting three second-half touchdowns.

Irish, on a three-match unbeaten league run, did all the damage during a fast and furious first period when they racked up 24 points without reply.

Bristol battered away at the Exiles' line early on - full-back Paul Hull missed an easy penalty chance - but when that pressure went unrewarded, Irish cut loose.

Captain Conor O'Shea crossed in the ninth minute following superb approach work from wing Niall Woods, then Woods skated around opposite number Mike Missen and Venter was put clear by scrum-half Kevin Putt.

Bristol were down and out, 17-0 adrift in as many minutes as Irish graphically underlined the class gulf between English rugby's top two divisions.

To complete a first-half masterclass, Irish hooker Richard Kirke was driven over from a line-out, and Woods' conversion gave Bristol a mountain to climb. Bristol's day went from bad to worse when flanker Jake Boer touched down from close range and, with more than 30 minutes remaining, Bristol were facing a landslide defeat. Their live-wire scrum-half Gareth Baber opened their account, however, when he touched down following a quick tap penalty.

That was the invitation for Irish to launch another brilliant breakout, O'Shea starting a 60-metre move which ended with wing Justin Bishop crossing at the posts.

Woods' conversion made it 365, then Venter sprinted over unopposed when his opposite number Carlos Hassan floundered badly in midfield.

A penalty try, for obstruction on Baber, took Bristol into double figures, and they also had the final say as flanker Mark Bennett had his wits about him for a score wide-out.

Bristol: Hull; Missen, Leaupepe, Hassan, Larkin; Martin, Baber; Emms, Tamati, Wring, Eagle, Giles, Charron, Gabey, Bennett.

London Irish: O'Shea; Bishop, Burrows, Venter, Woods; Bachop, Putt; Hatley, Kirke, Fullman, Strudwick, O'Kelly, Boer, Gallacher, Spicer.

Referee: C Rees (Twickenham).