LONDON Irish suffered defeat in their opening LV= Cup game of the season on Saturday, losing 29-21 away at Newcastle Falcons yesterday afternoon.

Newcastle fly-half Rory Clegg gave the hosts the lead with two early penalties before Tom Fowlie touched down in the corner to score the opening try of the game for Irish.

Shane Geraghty’s touchline conversion hit the post, meaning the hosts remained ahead. Clegg’s third kick of the day made it 9-5 but Geraghty then made two penalties to give the Exiles an 11-9 lead.

Newcastle scrum-half Warren Fury sniped over from close range to put the hosts back in front, with Clegg’s conversion giving them a 16-11 lead at half-time.

Irish made the perfect start to the second half, regaining the lead as full-back Alex Lewington caught the Falcons defence napping, with Geraghty’s conversion putting the visitors 18-16 ahead.

However, Newcastle soon hit back. Another Clegg penalty saw the lead change hands once more, while Richard Mayhew went over from a driving maul, Clegg’s conversion taking the score on to 26-18.

Irish then lost Jamie Hagen to a yellow card but they moved to within a score of their hosts as Myles Dorrian kicked a penalty.

However, Clegg was successful with another kick late on as Newcastle held on to triumph by eight points.

Irish are in action at the Madejski Stadium this Sunday, taking on Northampton Saints in their second LV= Cup game (kick-off 3pm). The Exiles will be out for revenge after losing 19-14 to the Saints two weeks ago.