ALEX Lewington scored a hat-trick of tries, but still ended up on the losing side, as London Irish opened their home Premiership campaign with a 36-32 loss to Saracens.

Lewington celebrated his 23rd birthday in fine style, but London visitors spoiled the party with a last minute try from Billy Vunipola.

On the plus side the Exiles collected two bonus points, ahead of their next league trip to Leicester Tigers on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Against Saracens, Irish trailed 10-0, before they opened the scoring from Blair Cowan in the corner. Geraghty added the difficult conversion.

The visitors hit back to extend their lead to 20-7, but Lewington scored two tries to cut the lead to one point as the second conversion was missed.

Saracens’ Owen Farrell kicked his third penalty three minutes before the break to make 23-19 at half-time.

Geraghty made it a one point game again with his first penalty of the match on 41 minutes, before Lewington went over for his hat-trick try and when Geraghty added the conversion the home side led 29-23.

Alex Goode took on the kicking responsibilities for Saracens, with two penalties inside six minutes to draw the sides level.

Geraghty put Irish back in front with a 51 metre effort with 16 minutes left, but a late try from the London side won the match.