Aviva Premiership Rugby Football Union club the London Irish ended their miserable campaign in the Amlin Challenge Cup on a relative high as they as they got the better of the winless Bordeaux Begles at home to bow out of the tournament with some pride still intact. Both the sides went into the match knowing that a place in the next round was gone for them and the only thing that was at stake was pride and as a result, the match never reached the heights that is expected in a prestigious European competition.
The 17-7 victory might not have seen the best of a side which is capable of hitting very high standards, considering their potential, a win is still a win and for the London Irish it was a deserved one. Regardless, the French side took a shock lead against The Exiles early on in the game when Nicolas Sanchez latched onto a ball from Damien Larrieu to give the visitors the lead. But The Exiles responded quickly enough with Jonathan Joseph and Steven Shingler combining to give the London side the lead just before the whistle for half time.
The win was sealed by Marland Yarde who touched down in the corner and sent the crowd into raptures, as they celebrated a much awaited win in the Amlin Challenge Cup, in a season where they were not good enough to progress but showed signs of posing a challenge from next season onwards.
The London Irish will bow out before the quarter finals stages and will have to turn all their attention and energy in the relegation dogfight in the Aviva Premiership and they will return to Premiership action with three consecutive wins under their name for the first time this season, as they look to hit form.