Photo: Saracens RFC
Saracens move back to the top of the table. after making it four from four with maximum points
By Peter Moore
Saracens moved to the top of the Gallagher Premiership after beating Gloucester 38-15 at Allianz Park on Sunday.
In a game that was billed as the fly-half showdown between Sarries Owen Farrell and Gloucester’s Danny Cipriani, it was Farrell who took the honours with a vintage display.
Saracens gave a masterclass in the art of efficient and clinical rugby. It was their 10th bonus-point win in succession, a Premiership record for consecutive games in which they have scored four tries. The hosts were always in control of the game, leading at one time 24-3, with Mako Vunipola recording 21 carries and 16 tackles and 13 points from the boot of Farrell, Sarries are already sending out a message for the rest of the League, that they will be the team to beat.
Also, on Sunday Worcester Warriors produced the performance of the weekend by going to Welford Road and beating Leicester 44-37.
An amazing game swung one way then the other with the hosts 37-11 down after an hour. Yet four tries from the home side brought them level, only for 19-year-old replacement Ted Hill to cross for only his second try on his Premiership debut to clinch an historic win for Worcester.
Saturday’s action saw Bristol complete their second home win of the season after defeating Harlequins 20-13.
The visitors discipline let themselves down badly, the facts speak for themselves. Three yellow cards and 13 penalties will not win you a game of rugby.
Despite Quins taking an early 10-0 lead thanks to a Danny Care try, Bears gradually grew into the contest and ran out deserved winners thanks mainly to the boot of fly-half Ian Madigan, who kicked 15 points for the home side.
At the Rec, Bath edged a narrow contest 17-15 against Northampton Saints. An even first half saw the sides go in at the break 7-7, but thanks to five more points from Freddie Burns, the home side just got over the line. Wasps recorded a 31-13 victory on the road against Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium.
The home side were on the board as early as the second minute through a Jack Ross try. Sharks increased their lead to 10-3 before Wasps hit back to edge in front thanks to tries from Nizaam Carr and Josh Bassett to take a 17-10 lead at the break. Further tries from Will Stuart and Nathan Hughes ensured Dai Young’s men travelled back to Coventry with a bonus point win.
Not for the first time, Exeter Chiefs struggled a little at Kingston Park, but eventually grounded out a valuable road victory 24-17 against Newcastle, to maintain their winning start to the season.
Rob Baxter’s team have won all their four games but were denied a try bonus point by Newcastle who deservedly picked up a losing bonus point.
Chiefs Sam Simmonds bagged a brace of tries, to make it five for the season so far. Despite Falcons Zach Kibirige going over in the opening minute, Chiefs hit back through Simmonds two tries. In a game that could of gone either way it was Chiefs Matt Kvesic who forced his way over for a late try to seal victory for Exeter.
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