Van Straaten equals record as Leeds silence doubters

Leeds 41 London Irish 16

So now we're going to believe him. When Phil Davies, Leeds' director of rugby, talks about improvements within his side and the search for consistency, the team deliver. Yes, it is early days yet, but Davies' new-look Leeds are set to make a big impression on the Premiership, and this victory will go a long way to prove that last week's defeat of the champions Leicester was no one-win wonder show.

"We don't panic now," said Davies. "We have more composure, even though we still have some work to do to play the game the way we want to." But that's only a part of the story. The Tykes have brought greater imagination and width to their approach. And they also have Braam van Straaten. The big South African equalled Thierry Lacroix's Premiership record of nine penalty goals in a match – scored for Saracens against Wasps in 1999 – as Irish infringed persistently at the breakdown.

While they demonstrated against the Tigers that their pack can be a match for the best, the Leeds back play has benefited immensely from the recruitment of Gordon Ross from Edinburgh at No 10. The diminutive Ross is neatness personified and he varied his options imaginatively to keep Irish guessing. He also put the gloss on the Tykes' performance with a delightful try, finishing off a mazy run by Diego Albanese.

There were mistakes from both sides in the opening exchanges, though it was Barry Everitt who settled Irish's and his nerves with a 30-metre penalty. Normally Everitt can kick these in his sleep, but last season's Premiership top scorer missed with five place kicks against Bath last Sunday, which cost Irish victory. Two strikes by Van Straaten – the second a monster from six metres inside the home half-nosed Leeds ahead, and there they stayed.

Playing with much greater fluency than last season, Leeds underlined their growing authority when Ross broke free down the narrow side. With a delightful show of the ball, the outside-half deceived Paul Sackey – himself being no stranger to the art of deception – handed on to Dan Scarbrough who unloaded in Michael Horak's tackle for Dan Hyde to score a sumptuous try. Van Straaten converted from wide out.

While Leeds were still congratulating themselves Irish won a line-out, for Geoff Appleford to make a clean break and gift a touchdown for Horak at the posts. Everitt converted and kicked a penalty after Van Straaten had slotted two more penalties to end the half at 19-13. At that point Irish were still in it. But Van Straaten then ended the match as a contest with five more penalties and the conversion of Ross's stunning try. Everitt's third penalty was a mere blip for Irish were gone.

Leeds: Tries Hyde, Ross. Conversions Van Straaten 2. Penalties Van Straaten 9. London Irish: Try Horak. Conversion Everitt. Penalties Everitt 3

Leeds: D Scarbrough; G Harder, T Davies, B van Straaten, D Albanese; G Ross, A Dickens; M Shelley (capt), M Regan (R Rawlinson, 82), G Kerr, C Murphy (S Campbell, 69), T Palmer, C Mather, D Hyde (C Hogg, 69), I Feaunati.

London Irish: M Horak; P Sackey, J Bishop, G Appleford, P Rossouw; B Everitt, D Edwards (K Barrett, 65); M Worsley (N Hatley, 47), R Kirke (A Flavin, 45), R Hardwick (S Halford, 45), R Strudwick (capt), B Casey, J Cockle, K Dawson, D Danaher.

Referee: R Goodliffe (Sheffield).