It was a cruel blow for Bristol who had correctly reckoned that the wind would be a factor in the second half and weren't discouraged by the 11-0 scoreline at the break.

The second half was all Bristol as they dominated possession and territory and, backed by a vociferous home crowd, deservedly nudged their way back in front.

However, as Bristol sought the killer score, Ed Barnes' floated pass was picked off by Geraghty who ran it back under the posts to kill the game.

Bristol began proceedings with a strong break down the left side of the pitch, instigated by flanker Alfie To’oala. From the breakdown, Shaun Perry helped move play over the Irish 10 metre line but Ed Barnes' kick awarded Irish possession.

Irish responded in a similar way to Bristol, creating pace in the backs to move the ball along the opposite wing. Quick hands by the Irish back line including English international Topsy Ojo, gave the visitors territory inside Bristol’s 10 metre line, but it was soon lost when they were penalised for holding on.

In truth, it was a less than inspiring opening period as both sides tried to establish superiority with Irish using the wind and kicking long and Bristol trying to keep ball in hand.

However Lee Robinson lifted the crowd with a searing run, breaking through centre field and heading for the Irish 22 only for his speculative pass to drift forward.

Lee Robinson on the charge

(c) Getty Images

Peter Hewat had the chance to get the scoreboard ticking in the 13th minute when Bristol veteran Mark Regan was penalised for holding on in the ruck. However,tThe Irish fullback sent the ball wide, leaving the game scoreless.

Shaun Perry exemplified his Premiership quality when he crept round the fringes of a subsequent scrum, , stealing the ball from Irish number 9 Paul Hodgson. However, referee Waynes Barnes deemed Perry offside and the Exiles were awarded the ball just outside the Bristol 22. Geraghty opted for a quick tap, and, with the help of Seilala Mapusua, the Exiles piled towards the Bristol line only for a forward pass to deny them.

However, Irish got their reward when Bristol were penalised at the scrum 2 metres from the try line. In front of the posts, Hewat sent the ball between the uprights taking the score to 3-0 with 20 minutes of the first half remaining.

The Irish backs, orchestrated by Geraghty, continued to run the ball deep and started to ooze danger leaving the home side on the back foot with David Lemi doing well to shackle Topsy Ojo on one occasion.

Unfortunately, a lapse in concentration cost Bristol dear as Robinson missed a vital tackle on Sailosi Tagicakibau as the Samoan returned a loose kick. The winger then sidestepped a tackle by Shaun Perry and scored the game's first try. Hewat’s conversion hit the upright, leaving Bristol trailing by 11 points with 10 minutes of the first half remaining.

Bristol hung on for half time as Irish looked for a score that may well have finished the game as a content but, at 11-0, Richard Hill's men were far from out of it.

David Lemi eludes Shane Geraghty

(c) Getty Images

Bristol’s second half performance was much improved, with the home side retaining most of the possession and causing Irish some serious trouble.

Ed Barnes got the second half started, driving the kick deep into London Irish’s 22 and putting the visitors on the back foot. The Bristol number 10 also got the scoreboard into action, perfectly sliding the ball in between the post 40 metres out when Irish failed to roll away from the ruck area.

The urgency continued with Lee Robinson again made a powerful run down his wing, pressuring try scorer Tagicakibau and charging him into touch.

A decision finally went Bristol’s way at the breakdown when Mapusua was penalised for coming being offside. As the Memorial Stadium fell to a silence, Barnes lined up from a similar distance to his last kicking success, but failed with his accuracy, sending the ball wide.

Their disappointment was short lived however, when a knock on just outside the 22 gave Bristol the put in.

Lemi once again proved his absolute class, darting through London Irish’s defence at pace and offloading to power house Alfie To’oala. After a series of phases using forwards Mark Regan and Alex Clarke, Ed Barnes made the vital call to chip the ball across to the wing and into the hands of Lee Robinson.

Sensing the tackle from Topsy Ojo, Robinson beautifully tapped the ball back infield into the hands of centre Luke Eves who battled to the line for Bristol’s first try.

Luke Eves stretches for the line

(c) Martin Bennett

Ed Barnes was now on fine form, sliding the ball between the posts to take the score to 10-11. With just 1 point in it, Bristol had fully got themselves back into the game.

Luke Arscott deserves a mention for his superb tactical kicking, exemplified in the 65th minute, when both sides were under tremendous pressure. A sensational kick to touch in the corner took his side deep into the opposition 22 and after Irish handled the ball in the ruck, Barnes took Bristol ahead for the first time in the game with his second penalty.

The celebrations didn’t last for long. After yet another quick passage of play across the Bristol backs, a loose pass from Ed Barnes was intercepted by Shane Geraghty who left chaser Dan Ward-Smith for dead. Hewat successfully converted.

The home crowd, who had been magnificent throughout the second period, did their best to inspire the home team to a renewed charge but, despite a valiant final effort from Bristol to take control and secure a deserved victory, Irish remained composed and eventually took home the win.

Bristol leave the Memorial Stadium this evening with a much needed bonus point and should be comforted in the knowledge that they were arguably the better side today.

However, when all is said and done, it is Irish who now sit at the opposite end of the table to Bristol.