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After a break of a couple of weeks for European action, it was back to Premiership Rugby action over the weekend.
The action kicked off on Friday when Northampton took on London Irish at Franklin Gardens, with Irish edging out Saints 20-16.
Dave Porecki’s last minute try prevented Northampton Saints going back to the top of the Premiership.
The hooker was on hand to pick up and score after Adam Coleman had charged down and attempted clearance from Henry Taylor.
The hosts weren’t helped when Fijian lock Api Ratuniyawara was shown a red card for a raised elbow. Saints were unable to call on their five England squad members and bizarrely decided to rest Wales fly-half Dan Biggar.
Piers Francis led out Northampton on his 50th appearance for the club, but celebrations were short lived when he was stretchered from the field after only 13 minutes.
The visitors took the lead after Ollie Hassell-Collins ran in with the first try of the afternoon. Reinach levelled for Saints with a try in the 34th minute before two late tries from the exiles from Franco van der Merwe and Porecki was enough to seal a famous victory.
Nathan Hughes put in a man of the match performance to help Bristol Bears to their first victory after four successive defeats with a 34-16 win over Gloucester on Saturday.
The hosts were on top in the first half thanks to Callum Sheedy slotting over five penalties, while the Cherry and Whites Wales fly-half Owen Williams responded with five of his own in the opening fourty minutes.
Bristol took the points thanks to second half tries from Henry Purdy, Luke Morahan and Matt Protheroe, despite a late consolation try from Gloucester’s Freddie Clarke, the visitors were always second best.
Bath gained a vital win against struggling Leicester 13-10 at the Rec on Saturday.
A brace from Bath’s Tom Homer with tries in the fourth and 70thminutes were enough to just get over the line against Tigers, who took away a losing bonus point after Ben White went over in the 60thminute.
Sale Sharks picked up their first win against Exeter Chiefs in nine attempts to upset the leaders 22-19 at Sandy Park on Saturday.
It was a deserved victory for Sharks, despite Chiefs coming back from a 22-5 deficit at the break.
Exeter were missing no less than twelve first team players through injury, international call ups and suspensions, including the likes of Henry Slade, Jack Nowell, Stuart Hogg and Ollie Devoto.
Chris Ashton opened the scoring for Sale in the 18th minute with the opening try of the contest before Phil Dollman replied for the hosts. There was still time for Daniel Du Preez and Byron McGuigan to go over for the visitors before the break.
The introduction of replacement props Alec Hepburn, Marcus Street and Scotland lock Sam Skinner as well as scrum half Jack Maunder energised Exeter who hit back with tries from Sam Simmonds and Tom O’Flaherty, but it wasn’t enough as Sharks completed the win and moved up to third in the table.
Young Wasps flanker Jack Willis shone in Wasps excellent bonus point victory away at Worcester 30-26 at Sixways on Saturday.
Jimmy Gopperth picked up the opening try of the match for Wasps in the 19th minute before Worcester hit back with Marco Mama crossing on the stroke of half time. Wasps trailed 13-5 at the break before Zach Kibirige finished off a fine flowing move to score. Willis scored Wasps third try of the afternoon shortly afterwards with Ollie Lawrence racing over to complete victory for Wasps.
Saracens miserable week continued after suffering a heavy 41-14 defeat at the hands of Harlequins at the Stoop on Sunday.
Sarries, who were this week told they would be relegated from the Premiership at the end of the season due to further breach of the salary cap, were totally outclassed against their near rivals.
Quiuns ran in six tries, with the try bonus point secured in the first half. Danny Care opened the scoring for the home side after only 78 seconds after excellent work from both Alex Dombrandt and Marcus Smith- who were outstanding on the day. Cadan Murley then went over in the corner. The winger soon went over again before Saracens centre Alex Lozowski went in under the posts but Gabriel Ibitoye and Paul Lasike touched down shortly after the break to put the result beyond doubt.
Dom Morris picked up a consolation try for the visitors before Martin Landajo capped a superb afternoon for Quins with another try to complete a comprehensive victory.
