Saracens the Goode fellas but London Irish thrill Big Apple

From Matthew Emery in Red Bull Arena, New Jersey
Despite this being a flagship game for Premiership Rugby, for Saracens there was still the simple matter of collecting four points to stay on top of the table.
With just six games remaining in the season, bottom side London Irish's top-flight survival now hangs by a thread, eight points adrift of Newcastle.
Defensive frailties have plagued Irish this season but they have turned a corner in recent weeks and last night built on their impressive performance against Bath – albeit in defeat again.
Attacking from deep and looking a threat with ball in hand, this Exiles side look too good to go down, especially since the arrival of Greig Tonks at fly-half and the resurgence of Sean Maitland at the back.
Tonks made his full debut at 10 and showed his attacking intent from the off. While Saracens were content to use the boot of Ben Spencer in the opening quarter, Irish ran from anywhere and gave the American fans a show.
In a frantic opening five minutes, penetrating runs from Ciaran Hearn and Alex Lewington cut holes in the Saracens line and a Tonks break almost set up the first try for Lewington but he was put into touch in the corner by American Chris Wyles.
Saracens were pinged for offside and Tonks opened his account with a three-pointer to the delight of the Red Bull crowd. Spencer had the chance to level the scores moments later but missed from in front.
Alex Goode looked lively at full-back for Sarries after he was released from Six Nations duty and his neat footwork in midfield outfoxed three would-be tacklers to run in unopposed. Spencer converted.
Undeterred, Irish kept to their game plan and moments later swift hands from Johnny Williams released Lewington who managed to weave through.
Tonks converted and continued to boss the game with a neat chip-through collected by Topsy Ojo which almost led to another Exiles try but for good defensive work by former England Sevens flyer Mike Ellery.
Irish forwards were enjoying parity at the breakdown nullifying the jackalling threat of Jaques Burger and they mauled their way into the Saracens 22 to earn a penalty. Tonks converted.
Saracens won their first penalty from the scrum on half an hour but Spencer missed another shot at goal from in front – albeit 40m out – but the omens looked as if they may pay for his profligacy.
London Irish shunted Saracens back on the final scrum of the half to earn a penalty and hint at what might be to come thereafter against a forward pack missing its big guns.
However from the restart Saracens threw wave after wave at Irish and earned a breakdown penalty from in front of the sticks which Spencer was able to convert this time bringing Sarries back to 13-10.
Minutes later Goode hit another three points, following Spencer's substitution, after Irish were caught offside in midfield: 13-13.
A midfield gainline arm wrestle ensued and Saracens new-found structure paid dividend earning another offside penalty in front for Goode to push the champions in front for the first time.
The Exiles responded with a scintillating Maitland break to within 10m and gave Tonks the opportunity to kick Irish level. A dominant scrum earned a penalty on Saracens' ball and Tonks kicked long. However Sarries soaked up wave after wave of green shirts to force a penalty and clear their lines.
Ben Ransom's arrival moved Goode into the fly-half slot and his cool head helped Sarries home. He took control of a fragmented second half to guide Saracens into the right areas of the pitch and stroked over another penalty on 69 minutes to edge Sarries ahead.
Tonks had a chance to level but he shot wide from just outside the 22.
Goode ensured the ball stayed deep in Irish territory and Saracens put a gloss on the final score when Nick Tompkins charged down Darren Allinson's clearance to race home. Goode notched the extras to rob Irish of a deserved bonus point.
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