RUGBY LEAGUE: EXILES WIN SACK RACE; LONDON IRISH 27 SARACENS 22

PAUL SACKEY'S brilliant debut try began the housewarming party in style - and London Irish never looked back.

Thomas Castaignede kept Saracens in touch, scoring all 22 of their points, but the Exiles deserved to win their first game at the Madejski Stadium.

After early pressure from the away team, Irish broke away and Sackey ran half the length of the field to score within two minutes.

The Exiles' director of rugby, Dick Best, said: "He took his opportunity with both hands.

"The try was stunning, his all-round workrate for a wing was fantastic and he kept Saracens under pressure."

Sackey created a try for Kieron Dawson that put the home side 21- 3 up within 23 minutes.

Castaignede dragged the League leaders back with 10 minutes of brilliance at the end of the first half.

He scored a penalty, converted his own try and then, only moments after fumbling on the try line, he struck a 40-metre drop goal.

But Kiwi fly half Jarrod Cunningham kicked 17 points for the Exiles in a great display, and Saracens were guilty of too many basic errors.

Saracens chief executive Francois Pienaar said: "I was disappointed with our performance.

"We did not play our game, but all credit to London Irish for putting us under pressure."

Best added: "It was an important day for the London Irish club - the players took on the responsibility and played with great team spirit."

Pienaar had no complaints. He admitted his side was out-fought and could find no answer to the pressure applied by the battling Irish in the first half.

"They are a very well-organised side," said Pienaar. "They put us under a tremendous amount of pressure and forced us into making far too many errors.

"They are also incredibly fit, and I am sure if they continue to play like that then the crowds will flock to see them."

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