Billy Vunipola celebrates scoring his Try for Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership match between Harlequins and Saracens at Twickenham Stoop , London – 06/10/2018
©Matthew Impey / Wired Photos
Gallagher Premiership Round Up
By Peter Moore
Another scintillating weekend of rugby action in Week Six of the Gallagher Premiership saw both Saracens and Exeter move ten points clear of their rivals and Sale move off the bottom of the table.
The action started on Friday night when Exeter Chiefs maintained their perfect start to the season with win number six, as they defeated their West Country rivals Bath 39-24 at The Rec a result predicted by the experts including those who took advantage of the betfair new customer offer.
Despite edging ahead 10-0 after 23 minutes, the home side could only lead by a single point at the break. A superb second half performance from the Chiefs enabled them to make it 29 Premiership League points out of a possible 30. A blistering ten-minute spell from Chiefs which resulted in tries for Matt Kvesic, Ian Whitten and Jack Nowell was enough for the Chiefs bandwagon to keep on rolling.
In a pulsating East Midlands derby played at Twickenham in front of over 40,000 people, Leicester got the better of Northampton Saints 23-15.
The game was all about honouring Rob Horne- Saints Australian International Wing/centre who sustained a brachial plexus injury at Welford Road last April.
Leicester shading the early stages and went ahead 6-5. Tigers then increased their advantage to 14 points, thanks to ten points from George Ford. Saints battled back with David Ribbans crossing on the stroke of half-time. Despite a late try from Northampton’s Mike Haywood it wasn’t enough to claim a losing bonus point, with Leicester taking four points from the win.
George Ford has been instrumental for the Tigers this season (photo credit: Leicester Mercury).
The die-hard rugby fans had a glorious chance to take in two games within a few hours at Twickenham on Saturday.
The Saints vs Tigers game kicked off in the afternoon, which allowed time for rugby fans to take the short walk back from Twickenham Stadium to the Stoop for a 7.30 PM kick off.
Those that made the effort were not disappointed as Harlequins and Saracens put on a classic.
Saracens eventually getting the better of Quins by 25-20 to maintain their perfect start to the season.
The Stoop hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Sarries in recent seasons, but thanks to an outstanding performance from Billy Vunipola it was enough for Saracens to claim another four points.
Quins were handed an early blow when their US Eagles centre Paul Lasike was knocked out cold from a tackle from Will Skelton. After lengthy treatment, Lasike was stretchered off with concussion. Harlequins went into the break with a 13-9 lead, thanks to a Danny Care intercepted pass try. Joe Marchant scored a most bizarre try after Marcus Smith’s penalty attempt was held up in the wind with the ball going wide, but somehow Joe Marchant leapt above Ben Spencer to dot down, as the home side looked to be heading for victory. But Vunipola came to Sarries rescue as he forced his way over, and with Owen Farrell in superb kicking form- 20 points from the fly half- it was just enough to give Saracens their sixth win on the bounce.
Sale moved off the bottom of the Gallagher Premiership table after a 20-7 victory against Newcastle at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts had Marland Yarde once again in excellent form, but with Sharks leading 20-7, Yarde twisted his leg awkwardly in a tackle and will be out of action for a long period of time.
Only their second Premiership victory in 2018/19 for Sale was enough for them to swap places with Falcons who are now at the bottom of the table with just one victory all season.
Wasps suffered a home defeat against Gloucester at the Ricoh Arena 21-35 on Saturday.
Former Wasp Danny Cipriani was in outstanding form for the visitors against his old team by scoring15 points in the afternoon. At the interval the visitors were in a commanding position by leading 20-7, but with ten minutes left held a lead of just two points. Gloucester were thankful for late tries from Charlie Sharples and Lewis Ludlow to see them over the line, complete with a try bonus point.
Before the start of the season most pundits were saying it would be either newly promoted Bristol or Worcester who will be favourites to go down.
At Sixways on Sunday afternoon Worcester capped off a week when their off-field business was resolved following a takeover by a new consortium, by thrashing Bristol Bears 52-7.
The victory was a record win for the Warriors in the Premiership and the most points they have ever scored in a League fixture. Worcester ran in seven tries, after Bristol prop Yann Thomas had opened the scoring. By the time Francois Venter had sprinted home for an interception try, Worcester were 31-7 ahead with the try bonus point secured and the second half still to come.
Quick tries from Chris Pennell and Josh Adams piled on the points, and left Warriors within striking distance of a Premiership victory by a record margin. The win lifted Worcester up to mid table with 13 points.
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