Gallagher Premiership Roundup. Sarries secure a play-off place. Tigers beaten by Quins

There was another thrilling weekend of rugby in the Gallagher Premiership as the greatest league in the world once again showed why it is the best around.

The weekends action kicked off on Friday with a West Country derby at Ashton Gate between Bristol Bears and Gloucester at Ashton Gate.

In a pulsating contest, a last minute Toby Fricker try gave struggling Bristol their first Premiership win in five matches.

Early tries from Harry Thacker and Andy Uren gave Bristol a 17-0 lead. But the Cherry and Whites hit back when Charlie Chapman, Louise Rees-Zammit and Chris Harris crossed to give the victors the lead at the break.

After Fricker restored Bears lead, Jack Singleton’s try set up a grand finale, only for Fricker to dot down with seconds remaining on the clock.

Despite the loss, Gloucester did come away with two losing bonus points in their quest to try and break into the play offs.

The other game on Friday night saw London Irish complete a comfortable victory over Newcastle Falcons in the North East.

Irish ended a run of three straight Premiership defeats with a six-try spree over the Falcons

The visitors took advantage of Sean Robinson’s yellow card to pick up a try scoring bonus point in the first half. The Exiles saw Albert Tuisue and Agustin Creevy cross while the Falcons were a man short.

Further tries from Curtis Rona and Matt Cornish sealed victory, with Newcastle pointless in the second half.

The game ended in some nastiness with both with Newcastle forward Gary Graham and Irish’s Facundo Giqena sent off after a fight.

On Saturday the game of the day pre-match certainly lived up to its reputation and didn’t disappoint when top of the table Leicester Tigers travelled to London to face third placed Harlequins at the Stoop.

Quins took a massive step towards the play-offs after inflicting Tigers fourth defeat in the Premiership this season with a 26-20 victory.

Will Collier and Cadan Murley scored for Quins with Tigers hitting back when Nemani Nadolo and Hanro Liebenberg crossed, with Quins heading into the break with a narrow two point lead.

Jasper Wiese’s try put Tigers in front for the first time in the match, before Andre Esterhuizen powered over with just six minutes remaining.

Northampton Saints moved into the top four after coming back from 19 points down to secure maximum points against Bath at The Rec on Saturday by winning 36-31.

Bath led at half time 17-7, compliments of tries from Max Clark and Will Muir. Juarno Augustus reduced the gap for the visitors, but a brace from Ben Spencer gave Bath a sizeable cushion 31-12 up heading into the final twenty minutes.

Tries from Alex Mitchell, Tommy Freeman along with a penalty try levelled the game before Mikey Haywood won it at the death for Northampton.

Wasps kept up the hunt for a top four finish after beating Worcester Warriors 41-12 at the Ricoh Arena.

The hosts ran in six tries with a Gabriel Oghre bagging a brace leading the way as Wasps picked up their third straight league win along with a try bonus point to cut the gap from wasps to fourth placed Saints to six points.

The final match of the weekend saw Saracens face Exeter Chiefs with Sarries beating Exeter 38-22 to seal a play-off spot.

The Chiefs went into the break with a 15-10 lead before Saracens hit back with a superb second half performance that saw Sean Maitland, Nick Tompkins and Ben Earle cross along with two Owen Farrell penalties was enough to secure victory and a try bonus point.

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