Record-breaker Sheasby finds it sweet and sour

A record Zurich Premiership crowd witnessed a bittersweet experience for Chris Sheasby and London Irish at the Madejski Stadium yesterday.

Sheasby, 37, is the only current player to have featured in every season since the launch of English league rugby in 1987-88, and became the first man to reach 200 league appearances.

But Irish's 21-20 home defeat to Premiership leaders Bath was a frustrating affair for the majority of the 20,840 spectators. Wing Paul Sackey was denied a second try by being held up when over the line and fly-half Barry Everitt only just failed with a last-ditch drop goal from long range.

Irish head coach Gary Gold, unhappy that his pack could not prevent two Bath tries from driving mauls, paid tribute to Sheasby, saying: "Chris is an inspiration to us all. He is one of the most professional athletes at the club and his appetite and enthusiasm is fantastic."

European qualification is still in Irish sights, despite a fourth successive home defeat in the Premiership, and managing director Conor O'Shea said: "It was disappointing to lose so narrowly."