London Irish 24, Thurrock T-Birds 17

DESPITE a late rally which included two tries, T-Birds suffered defeat on the opening day of their Championship South campaign on Sunday (15 September).

The hosts made the better start and converted tries in the 23rd and 34th minutes gave them a firm grip on the match and they took the 14 point lead into the break.

Things looked better for Thurrock on the restart and almost immediately a try and conversion closed the gap.

However, they couldn't build on that impetus and almost immediately the Emeralds got seven more points of their own.

A 72nd minute try, which was converted, and a third try of the match, which wasn't, brought the sides closer together but a late penalty for the home side put the outcome at Hazlewood to bed.

T-Birds travel again on Sunday (22 September) when they head west to play Bath.