Harlequins secure a hard-fought 31-28 win over London Irish in the Aviva Premiership
Tom Casson scored a last-gasp try as Harlequins beat London Irish 31-28 to climb to the Aviva Premiership summit.
Last Updated: 28/10/12 9:43pm
Guy Armitage notched the first try of the game on 13 minutes after Jamie Gibson charged down a kick, but Danny Care touched down three minutes later following an interception.
Tom Williams notched another try for Quins on 51 minutes but Ian Humphreys kicked three penalties to take his points tally to 23 for the game and put the Exiles ahead.
However, Casson scored a last-gasp try which was allowed by the video official to halt a two-match league losing run and send his side back to the top of the table on points difference.
It was the visitors who set their intentions early when Ben Botica kicked two penalties, but the New Zealander was at fault for the hosts' opening score when his kick was charged down and that allowed Armitage to pounce. Humphreys converted as Irish led 7-6 after 13 minutes.
Their advantage didn't last long as Anthony Watson's attempted offload fell into arms of Care and the scrum-half scampered over.
Successive penalties from the home side's stand-off levelled the scores before Botica kicked one of his own to regain Harlequins' lead.
But a further penalty from Humphreys meant the teams went into half-time level at 16-16, although Quins were down to 14 men after Mike Brown's yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.
The respective fly-halves traded kicks from the tee early in the second period before a wonderful move from the visiting backline ended in Williams crossing in the corner.
The hosts' fly-half cut that deficit with two more penalties before another seven minutes from time looked to have won the game.
However, Casson latched on to Ugo Monye's offload to go over in the last play of the game.
He thought he had blown the opportunity but the television match official ruled that what appeared to be a knock-on had in fact come off Casson's knee, making his subsequent grounding a legal one and the win sent Quins top of the Aviva Premiership standings.
