We have Felix McCabe keeping an eye on the Aviva Premiership, here’s how he saw Round 2…
It was a case of picking on the new kid Friday night when Harlequins welcomed London Welsh to the Stoop. George Robson opened affairs with a trip across the whitewash in a move orchestrated by Nick Evans. Ugo Moyne would add two more tries before half time, on his return from injury. Welsh only answering with a Gordon Ross penalty; leaving them 18 points down at the half. Robson got his second score shortly after the half; securing the bonus point for Quins. Conor O’Shea emptied the bench, allowing Danny Care some game time whilst England coach Stuart Lancaster watched on. George Lowe added a fifth and newcomer, Ben Botica, added the final nail in the Welsh coffin just before the end. It finished 40-3 at Twickenham.
At the Rec, Wasps would continue their losing streak despite some great passages of play. Last week’s headliner, Christian Wade, found himself to blame for Matt Banahan’s early try when he was caught off his wing leaving the space open for the centre to run in. Wade would be half to blame again when he got mixed-up with Nick Robinson allowing winger, Tom Biggs, cross the line for Bath before the half time. Wasps got themselves back on the right path with a Varndell try early in the second half coming from some nice hands and little chip, but Bath were relentless and drove home their third try through winger, Kyle Eastmond. Christian Wade (scorer of Try of the Week from round one) would atone for his earlier sins with a late try that would guarantee his side a losing bonus point; a minor consolation for the visitors.
Manu Tuilagi (lower pic) continued his on-form performances this weekend when he scored two sensational tries for the Tigers within the first twelve minutes against Worcester at Welford Road. The first coming off the back of a great counter-attack that started in the Leicester 22 and ended with Tuilagi going over in the corner. The second of his brace, equally as impressive, came from another counter-attack. Penalties were exchanged between Flood and Goode, but the Tigers always seemed the stronger team maintaining the pressure on The Warriors. Just before the half, Worcester would lose fullback, Chris Pennell, to the sinbin for a professional foul but remained exceptional in defence; defending their line from numerous scrums. Niki Goneva would score after the half for the Tigers; extending their lead even more, but David Lemi returned the favour with an 80-metre counter-attack to bring the game within six points. Worcester would find themselves penalised for poor scrummaging resulting in Leicester’s bonus point try and Graham Kitchener would add a fifth. The Warriors managed a consolation try at fulltime when Alex Grove went over to finish the game 34 points to 26 for the Tigers.
Gloucester would see their fortunes change this weekend when they met The Exiles in Reading. A fantastic individual performance from Freddie Burns, scoring 25 points off his boot and being instrumental in the match changing try, helped Gloucester to their first victory of the season. Irish managed tries through Topsy Ojo, Halani ‘Aulika and Tomás O’Leary but it wasn’t good enough on the day. Cherry and White tries came from Ben Morgan, James Simpson-Daniel and Akapusi Qera but it was Burns’ efforts which really cemented this victory for Gloucester. They soldier on with a trip to Worcester next week whilst The Exiles meet Wasps in a London Derby.
My glorious Sharks were left drowning once again when they tasted bitter defeat; this time at the hands of Saracens. Danny Cipriani got his first start at home but was over-shadowed by his opposite number who out-kicked him, four penalties to three, in the first half. The second half produced two tries; one a piece. Sale’s Will Addison crossing the line two minutes in whilst Chris Ashton would score his third try in two games for the visitors and ultimately lead them to a seven point cushion. Saracens make it two for two; it finished 23-16.
Whilst most of Ireland were busy watching the hurling, the final game of this weekend’s Premiership action was underway. Exeter travelled to Franklin’s Gardens in search of their second win of the campaign but would be rudely awakened by a complacent Saints opposition. A twelve point lead let slip to trail 13-12 at the half scared Northampton and it took Luther Burrell’s 55th minute try for the home side to gain back the advantage. Their pack dominated from there but a late try from Matt Jess made for a respectable scoreline that Exeter can’t feel too bad about. Only three points separated the sides at full time with the score reading 24-21 to the home side. The Chiefs will be on the road again when they meet London Welsh in the next round whilst The Saints will have their work cut out for them against Bath.
Results
Harlequins 40-3 London Welsh
Bath Rugby 30-23 London Wasps
Leicester Tigers 34-26 Worcester Warriors
London Irish 31-40 Gloucester Rugby
Sale Sharks 16-23 Saracens
Northampton Saints 24-21 Exeter Chiefs
Next Round
Bath Rugby v Northampton Saints
Worcester Warriors v Gloucester Rugby
Harlequins v Sale Sharks
London Wasps v London Irish
Saracens v Leicester Tigers
London Welsh v Exeter Chiefs
Felix (@lightningrust): Blogger, eternal student of business & law, sunshine rugby player with a passion for music and fitness. Coffee is essential. Leinster fan and Irish proud.
