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The weekend’s Gallagher Premiership action kicked off on Friday evening with a West Country derby between Bristol Bears and Gloucester at Ashton Gate, with the hosts just getting the better of the Cherry and Whites by 28-24.
The Cherry and Whites recent rich vein of form was ended by the Bears in a thrilling derby as they recorded their first Premiership win over their rivals since 2008. Superb defending from the Bears, making 208 tackles to Gloucester’s 94, paved the way for victory. Bristol made a blistering start by scoring the opening try of the game inside two minutes through Dan Thomas. The hosts eventually taking a 11-7 interval lead. Both sides traded points in the second period, but the visitors paid for their indiscipline when two late yellow cards were handed out by referee Karl Dickson. With just two minutes remaining the game could of gone either way, but Ian Madigan kicked a penalty kick from the half-way point to give Bristol an historic win.
Leicester Tigers secured victory against Wasps at Welford Road on Saturday after picking up a 19-14 victory.
The hosts were in desperate need of a victory after just two Premiership wins in their last eight. The visitors handicapped themselves by some poor indiscipline, with a penalty count of 15-6. It could have been oh so different for Dai Young’s side after they took a 14-9 lead at the break after a brace of tries from Marcus Watson. Leicester were indebted to a Joe Ford converted try to edge them ahead 16-14. Ford then secured the win for Tigers after slotting over a penalty with five minutes remaining to secure victory.
Saracens picked up a home victory at Allianz Park on Saturday, after handing out a 36-17 victory against Northampton Saints. Sarries returned to winning ways after racing into a 24-0 lead after only 28 minutes, with the try bonus point secured as the hosts went into the break leading Saints 29-3, with five tries scored. The hosts took their foot off the gas in the second half which Northampton won 14-7 thanks in the main to tries from Reece Marshall and Lewis Ludlam to regain some pride.
Exeter Chiefs picked up a hard-earned win in a bruising encounter at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday, after getting the better of Sale Sharks 20-14. Exeter looked completely in control at the break after tries from Ollie Devoto and Dan Armand had helped the visitors to a 15-0 heading into the second half. Sharks did hit back late in the game when Sam James went over in the 63rd minute. Chiefs restored their advantage to lead 20-7, but a late try from Will Cliff set up a frantic finish with Chiefs holding on for a crucial win.
Nathan Earle scored a last minute try to cement Harlequin’s third place in the Premiership table and made it five consecutive Premiership victories for the South West London Club after defeating Bath 31-29 at the Rec on Saturday. With the clock firmly in the red, Bath looked to be heading for victory with their own line out on their own 22, but they lost the line out with Quins attacking with Earle eventually forcing his way past Cooper Vuna to score. The hosts at one time led 14-0 and 21-11 at various stages in the game, with tries from Jonathan Joseph and Nathan Catt before half time. Quins led at the interval 21-16, thanks to tries from Chris Robshaw, Joe Marchant and Alex Dombrandt. Bath responded after the break with a couple of penalties from Priestland before replacement Ross Batty went over. Quins looked down and out, but Marchant grabbed his second of the game before Earle’s late effort sealed a dramatic victory for Harlequins.
With 15 games gone in the Gallagher Premiership, Exeter lead the way by two points from Saracens. Harlequins sit in third place ten points behind Sarries with Gloucester seven behind.
