LONDON Irish kept their Aviva Premiership survival hopes alive with a magnificent 35-5 victory at rivals Harlequins on Saturday, writes Richard Ashton.

It was a first victory of the Declan Kidney and Les Kiss era, and completed a seasonal double for Exiles following their opening day success.

South African scrum half Piet van Zyl was the star of the show, his two first-half tries setting up a platform from which Irish held on for a bonus-point victory which cut the gap to Worcester Warriors to nine points with three games remaining.

The visitors started brightly at The Stoop, and had an Alex Lewington try chalked off for a forward pass as early as the fourth minute.

It was van Zyl who put his side in front on the quarter-of-an-hour mark when he collected a pass from Tom Fowlie before dotting down. Tommy Bell added the extras and Irish were 7-0 up.

Exiles went further ahead on 22 minutes, James Marshall’s cross-field kick collected by Lewington who popped the ball inside to van Zyl. He went over before Bell’s conversion made it 14-0.

A dream opening half-hour ended with a third score for the visitors as Max Northcote-Green crossed the whitewash and a Bell penalty with the last kick of the half gave Irish a barely believable 22-0 lead at the interval.

Bell knocked over another penalty six minutes into the second half, although Quins rallied and opened their account in the 51st minute when Jack Clifford scored.

Having blown a 17-0 advantage in their previous game against Gloucester, Irish responded well and all but secured the game with their bonus-point try when van Zyl’s chip ahead was collected by Fowlie who went over.

Bell added the extras before later landing a penalty as Irish held on for a magnificent win.

London Irish face a tough test when reigning champions and table-toppers Exeter Chiefs visit Madejski Stadium this coming Sunday (3pm).