JERSEY’S Matt Banahan scored a ‘brilliant’ try on his A League debut for London Irish against Saracens at Sunbury last night.

Selected in the second row, Banahan crossed the Saracens line after just three minutes.

Said London Irish representative Paddy Lennon: ‘It was a brillliant individual try from 50 metres out.

He outpaced the Saracens defenders to score.’ Lennon explained that the Guinness A League is divided into two conferences, north and south.

London Irish play in the south with the likes of Wasps, Bath, Gloucester, Bristol Shoguns and NEC Harlequins.

‘The games tend to be very entertaining,’ he added.

‘The lads are younger and prepared to take more of a risk as there is not so much at stake.

‘Sunbury is London Irish’s traditional home and the A League matches are attracting a growing following – there were 600 spectators last night.’ Banahan scored two tries for London Irish in the televised Middlesex Sevens last month.

Lennon said that Banahan was settling in well: ‘He has obviously benefitted from the pre-season conditioning work and is in great shape.

He told me after the game that he had thoroughly enjoyed it.’ London Irish won 34-33 with a late penalty kick.