ENGLISH CUP SEMI FINAL/London Irish...32 Harlequins...27: Birthday-boy Barry Everitt booted London Irish into the English Cup final after a dramatic clash against Harlequins at The Stoop on Saturday. Outhalf Everitt kicked 22 points, landing all eight of his shots at goal, including two priceless penalties during the final five minutes after Harlequins produced a sensational fight-back.

Irish romped into a 26-0 lead after just 30 minutes but Harlequins showed what they were made of by wiping out that deficit. Everitt landed two early penalties and then converted Irish player-coach's Brendan Venter's 15th-minute try.

With the wind in their faces Harlequins could not escape from their own 22, and two further Everitt penalties meant they trailed 19-0 inside the opening quarter.

Worse was to follow though, when 10 minutes before the break Irish full-back Michael Horak crossed for a try that Everitt improved. Harlequins hit back with 10 unanswered points just before half-time. Lock Alex Codling powered over for a try, and outhalf Paul Burke's conversion, followed by a short-range penalty, at least gave the home side a glimmer of hope.

Burke's second successful penalty got Harlequins off to a purposeful start in the second period, and on 55 minutes they added their second try through hooker Ace Tiatia. The comeback looked to be complete 12 minutes from time when Harlequins' number eight Tony Diprose claimed their third try. Burke's conversion inched Harlequins into a 27-26 advantage.

The finale belonged to Everitt, who celebrated his 26th birthday with two match-winning kicks.

HARLEQUINS: D Slemen, Jewell, Greenwood, Burrows, Luger, Burke, Duncombe,Leonard, Tiatia, Olver, Codling, White-Cooper, Winters, Sanderson, Diprose. Replacements: Gollings for D Slemen (63 mins), Morgan for White-Cooper (27 mins), Sheriff for Sanderson (75 mins).

LONDON IRISH: Horak, Sackey, Appleford, Venter, Bishop, Everitt, Martens, Hardwick, Kirke, Halford, Strudwick, Williams, Halvey, Danaher, Sheasby. Replacements: Edwards for Martens (46 mins), Wheatley for Hardwick (52 mins), Drotske for Kirke (46 mins), Delaney for Williams (67 mins).

Referee: S Leyshon (RFU).