A BRAVE London Irish performance was not enough to help them avoid Aviva Premiership relegation following a 32-25 defeat to Harlequins at Madejski Stadium this afternoon, writes Richard Ashton.

Exiles needed to win to take their survival hopes to the final day of the season, but, as has so often been the case during a difficult campaign, they could not produce the goods in the key moments.

Tom Coventry’s men were unable to recover from a disastrous start which saw them concede three tries in the opening 22 minutes.

Firstly Charlie Walker crossed in the 11th minute, benefitting from good play by England scrum half Danny Care and Australian James Horwill, who released George Lowe. He in turn found Walker for the score, before Ben Botica knocked over the extras.

Theo Brophy Clews reduced the deficit with a penalty but Quins extended their advantage with a second converted Walker score, the wing ripping  a Ross Chisholm chip from the arms of Sean Maitland for his try before Botica again landed his kick.

Only two minutes later the game seemed over as Chisholm went over, Harlequins now leading 19-3.

But, after Jack Clifford was sin-binned, Irish hit back. Captain Luke Narraway was bundled over at the back of a powerful driving maul to cut the gap, and Fijian wing Aseli Tikoirotuma then powered over before Brophy Clews slotted the extras to make it 19-15 to Quins.

A Botica penalty ensured a seven-point lead at half time for the visitors, but the passionate home fans believed a victory was possible.

Their hopes were furthered 15 minutes into the second period when David Paice broke from the back of another driving maul to dot down, and when Brophy Clews added the conversion and a penalty Exiles led 25-22.

However, once again Irish could not convert a winning position into points. Replacement fly half Nick Evans levelled matters with a penalty for Quins, and a Kyle Sinckler try – converted by Evans – made it 32-25.

And try as the hosts did, they could not salvage a late fightback, slipping out of the top flight for the first time in 21 years.

Following the disappointment of relegations, London Irish president Mick Crossan said: “We would like to reassure supporters that we remain committed to this Club and to realising its potential. Relegation is a set back and we will deal with it accordingly.

“Our plans for London Irish remain the same and I would like to thank our supporters for their continued support during what has been a tough time for all involved with our Club.”

Chief executive Bob Casey added: “This is a sad day in the history of this great club. Relegation was not part of our plans, but we have to be honest, as hard as the players and management have worked, we haven’t been good enough this season. We will learn our lessons and respect the Championship, but keep our sights firmly set on returning to the Premiership.

“The foundations at London Irish are in place; we have excellent facilities, a thriving Academy programme and outstanding support staff. Unfortunately, the progress of our rugby programme has suffered a setback this season in what has been the strongest Premiership in a long time.”

“I would like to thank our supporters. We have needed you more than ever before this season and you have turned up loyally and vocally to cheer the team on. We know we have disappointed you, rest assured we will do our utmost to ensure we return to the top tier of English rugby at the first time of asking.”