 Bath's Zak Feau'nati tries to keep hold of the ball |
Bath 17 (14)
Tries: Feaunati
Pens: Malone 4
London Irish 21 (6)
Tries: Russell, Leguizamon
Cons: Everitt
Pens: Everitt 3
Lowly London Irish came from behind in the final 10 minutes with tries from Robbie Russell and Juan Leguizamon to clinch a valuable win at Bath.
The home side seemed in control after a try from Zak Feau'nati and four Chris Malone penalties left them 17-9 up.
But Russell gave the Exiles hope when he was driven over from a line-out for a 71st-minute try, which was converted by Barry Everitt.
And with time almost up, Leguizamon scored a dramatic try for the win.
The victory ended a five-match losing run for London Irish, who had three players sin-binned.
A mass brawl broke out in the 17th minute after a spear tackle by David Paice on Feau'nati.
Paice was given a yellow card and was joined in the sin-bin by team-mate Neal Hatley and Bath's Peter Short for their part in the fighting.
Irish lost a third player to the sin-bin when second row Bob Casey was penalised for stamping - just four minutes after coming on as a replacement - but Bath also saw David Barnes yellow carded for a professional foul.
And with the departure of Barnes, the visitors were able to make the extra man count for the win.
Acting Bath head coach Steve Meehan:
"The guys are absolutely shattered. "They put their hearts and souls into it and did everything they were criticised for not doing last week.
"We did a lot of defensive work, and the guys did extremely well considering how much time we spent in our own half.
"I'm biased but yes, perhaps it should have been a red card (for Paice). But it's out of my control.
Exiles director of rugby Brian Smith:
"November was good to us last year, and if we can make progress this month then we can really challenge. "But with our Samoans and Argentines needed by their countries, we are as affected as anyone else this year."
Bath: Abendanon; Stephenson, Berne, Fuimaono-Sapolu, Bory; Maone, Walshe; Barnes, Hawkins, Flatman, Short, Fidler, Beattie, Scaysbrook, Feaunati.
Replacements: Ward, Ovens, Goodman, Faamatuainu, Williams, Cheeseman, Maddock.
London Irish: D Armitage; Shabbo, Mapusua, Flutey, Tagicakibau; Everitt, Hodgson; Hatley, Paice, Lea'aetoa, Roche, J Hudson, McCullen, Magne, P. Murphy.
Replacements: Skuse, Russell, Casey, Leguizamon, Danaher, Rees, Pedro Tiesi.
Referee: Roy Maybank (Kent)
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