There notable standout fixtures across the Gallagher Premiership this weekend. Here, TIBS News reviews the action across English rugby’s top-flight.
FRIDAY, MARCH 12
Bristol Bears 37-20 Wasps
Bristol continued their march to glory on Friday, smashing Wasps 37-20 in an explosive game at Ashton Gate. The match stated with Wasps putting the first points on the board through a Sione Vailanu try in the 15th minute, which was converted by Jimmy Gopperth. An early penalty made the score 0-10 inside 20 minutes but Bristol responded. The hosts blew away their opponents with tries in the 19th, 55th, 66th and 80th for a bonus-point win. Josh Bassett did cross the whitewash for Wasps on 78 minutes. This result helped Bristol extend their lead at the top, while Wasps are 10th.
SATURDAY, MARCH 13
Exeter Chiefs 21-20 Harlequins
Saturday’s first game brought elation for Exeter and heartbreak for Harlequins in a nail-biting match at Sandy Park. Danny Care scored first for Harlequins in the 13th minute with Player of the Month Marcus Smith scoring the conversion.
Exeter responded quickly through a try from Stu Townsend but Harlequins continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over and were leading 20-7 by the 53rd minute.
In the last 20 minutes Exeter turned on the style and fought their way back in true style. Six minutes from full-time they scored a try by Dave Ewers to trail by one point. And Joe Simmonds kicked the crucial conversion to give the Chiefs victory. Exeter and Harlequins remain second and third in the table, with the former putting the pressure on Bristol.
Newcastle Falcons 19-38 Bath Rugby
The second game on Saturday delivered an absolutely blistering first half at Kingston Park.
Bath’s destruction of Newcastle was just what they needed to turn their season around. Five tries were scored overall in the first half – with it three to two in the visitors’ favour.
In the second half Bath defended well and managed to not concede any tries. This result brings Bath up to ninth, level on points with Newcastle. A massive win for Bath.
Northampton Saints 17-14 Sale Sharks
A poor day at the office for Sale left them with the Saints breathing down their neck in the table.
The game started poorly for Northampton though as Ollie Sleightholme was sent to the sin bin in the ninth minute. They still managed to score with a man down with Teimana Harrison crossing the whitewash in the 18th minute. A penalty in the 32nd minute was the last score of the first half as the Saints went in 8-0 up at the break.
Three more penalties in the second half was enough for Saints as Sale could only manage two converted tries through Lood De Jager and Jean-Luc de Preez. This outcome doesn’t change either side’s position in the table and Sale still sit in fourth. Although Saints are very close and if they can continue this form Sale may lose that position.
Gloucester 14-20 Leicester Tigers
Gloucester lost this time to Leicester Tigers at Kingsholm in Saturday’s final fixture. Gloucester started the game brightly, going 7-0 up in the 18th minute through a Santiago Carreras try with George Barton kicking the conversion.
Leicester responded quickly though and once again Gloucester’s abysmal defending and inability to
hold a lead led to their downfall. Tom Youngs scored within three minutes of Gloucester’s
try and Leicester didn’t look back after that as Harry Wells secured the win with a 54th-minute try.
Despite making six substitutions, Gloucester didn’t have the legs to fight back and win. Leicester now sit in 7th in the table, three points behind London Irish. Meanwhile, Gloucester sit in 11th and are running out of time to fix their season.
SUNDAY, MARCH 14
London Irish 20-17 Worcester Warriors
Worcester’s hunt for their first win since November continues after losing at the Brentford Community Stadium on Sunday. London Irish led 10-3 in the ninthminute courtesy of a Ben Meehan try after each side had converted a penalty.
A yellow card for Warriors’ flanker Matt Kvesic left them with an uphill battle, with Irish scoring in
the same minute he trudged off. The score at half time was 17-3.
At half-time the score was 17-3 but Worcester rallied to make it 17-17 after the interval. However, it wasn’t enough for the visitors as Paddy Jackson kicked a 73rd-minute penalty to give Irish the win. This leaves Worcester at rock bottom in the table and London Irish in sixth.
By Joe Hayhurst
