©PA
London Irish 26-17 Pau, Community Stadium
Scorecard
James Stokes scored a double as London Irish edged out Pau 26-17 in the second round of the European Challenge Cup at Community Stadium.
London Irish started the proceedings with a 10th minute try from James Stokes and Paddy Jackson kicked the conversion but Pau responded back after Atila Septar collected a grubber kick to touchdown in the 21st minute that Clovis Lebail improved.
Lebail missed a long-range penalty goal in the 24th minute and the home side finished the opening half strong with back to back tries from Stokes and Phil Cokanasiga heading into the break with a 21-7 lead.
Lebail with a penalty goal at the start of the second half reduced the gap to 11 points but winger Tom Parton in the 50th minute touched down made the scoreline 26-10 before Thibault Debaes helped Pau reduced their losing margin with a converted try in the closing stage.
Team line-up:
London Irish: Homer; Stokes, Rona, P Cokanasiga, Parton; Jackson, Phipps; Dell, Creevy, Chawatama, Nott, Mafi, Rogerson, Cowan, Tuisue.
Reserves: Matu’u, Elrington, Green, Coleman, Munga, Englefield, Atkins, Meakes.
Pau: Le Gall; Barrett, Couchinave, Dumoulin, Septar; Debaes, Lebail; Odishvili, Barka, Corato, Marchois, Ramsay, Tagitagivalu, Gunther, Ugena.
Reserves: Lespiaucq, Fisi’ihoi, Hamadache, Delannoy, Texier, Marques, Fumat, Votu.
