Rugby: Sarries finally top the league alone

Chiefs lose their unbeaten record. Another win for Sarries. Bears thump Tigers.

Before Round 9 of the Gallagher Premiership fixtures, there were just two sides with a 100 per cent unbeaten record, Saracens and Exeter. By the end of the weekend, Saracens were the only side who remained unbeaten.

On Friday evening at the Stoop in a pulsating encounter, Harlequins stunned Exeter Chiefs with a 28-26 victory.

Mike Brown and Danny Care shrugged off their England woe with outstanding displays for Quins. Dumped by Eddie Jones for the November Tests, Brown responded with an all action 80-minute display, by contributing in all of Harlequins tries.

Harlequins strip Chiefs of their 100% record 

Despite the Chiefs opening the scoring through Matt Kvesik, Harlequins hit back with tries from Captain James Chisholm and a Nathan Earle try right on the stroke of half time to give Quins a 13-5 lead at the break. Exeter hit back after the restart when Yeandle went over, only for Earle to touchdown for his second try of the night. Chiefs kept themselves in the game when Ollie Deveto went over, but Joe Marchant quickly restored Harlequins advantage. Despite a late Ian Whitten try to give Chiefs two points out of the game, the honours went to the hosts who clung on to a memorable victory and came away with a try bonus point win.

On Saturday Saracens made sure that they would be the only side unbeaten this season in the Premiership with a 29-6 victory against Wasps at Allianz Park.

Tries from Jamie George and Nick Isiekew alongside 19 points from the boot of Alex Lozowski was sufficient enough for Sarries to pick up four points for the win.

As the match approached the final quarter Wasps were trailing only 12-6 before the hosts seized control of the game with two tries to run out worthy winners and retake top position in the Premiership.

Newcastle Falcons moved of the bottom of the table briefly for 24 hours after a narrow 16-14 victory against Northampton Saints at Franklin Gardens. England man Mark Wilson returned to the Falcon’s side and inspired Newcastle to a dramatic victory. Flanker Wilson reached out a long arm deep into injury time after Dan Biggar had been shown a yellow card, to touch the ball against the base of the post to level the contest. Toby Flood stepped up to send the conversion over the posts for the win.

Leicester Tigers travelled to Ashton Gate to face the Bristol Bears and suffered a heavy 41-10 loss. The visitors were not helped when Kyle Eastmond was dismissed for the second time this season and could face a lengthy ban. Hooker Harry Thacker, a hat trick hero against Wasps last week, cam back to haunt his old side with a try double to help Bears on their way to a bonus-point win.

Ollie Thorley scored another two tries to ensure Worcester Warriors miserable run continued at Kingsholm. Worcester haven’t won at the ground since April 2009 but were in contention at 10-9 until Thorley pounced as Gloucester ran in four tries in 14 minutes to wrap up a 36-16 win.

In the final game of the weekend on Sunday afternoon Bath and Sale played out a 7-7 draw at the Rec. The home side will be more relieved with the draw after James Wilson converted Joe Cokanasiga’s 73rd minute try for a share of the points. The point from the game was enough for Sharks to go above Newcastle at the bottom of the table.

After Round Nine of the Premiership, Saracens lead the way with 42 points from Exeter on 40 with Gloucester third with 28 points, four ahead of Wasps in fourth who are just ahead of Harlequins on points difference. The remaining seven sides are separated by just four points in the most competitive Premiership for a long time.