Once in a while the English clubs stop moaning about the HCup and actually play some rugby – Felix McCabe gives his latest update…
After two weekends of exciting European action we’re back with some Premiership mayhem. Kicking things off at Sixways, Worcester met Sale in an intense battle that didn’t disappoint. The Warriors were first off the mark from the boot of Andy Goode, but this lead didn’t last long as Sale would ground the ball with their first attack; Danny Cipriani feeding Mark Cueto who was able to spot a gap in the Warriors defence. The Sharks seemed up for this game, despite losing their lead to the boot of Goode again. They were superior at the lineout and dominated the possession. Worcester didn’t look threatening until the 31st minute when Samoan winger, David Lemi, powered through the gain line and slammed over the Sharks’ line for his side’s first try. The second half continued much the same; Sale playing good rugby and threatening the Warriors line. Andy Powell and Richie Vernon beating away at the Worcester defence would pay dividends when Cueto managed to deliver an expert pass to fullback, Nick Macleod and see him cross the line. Cipriani was again unable to convert and was replaced by Rob Miller at fly-half. Andy Goode crossed the whitewash and converted to give Worcester back the lead, but it looked as though Sale would clinch a draw when they came storming to the line in the dying minutes. Only a last minute tackle from Paul Hodgson, which knocked him out, was enough to push the Sharks into touch and seal the victory.
On Saturday there were three more Premiership games for us to sink our teeth into; Sarries would travel to Franklins Gardens to meet The mighty Saints and Gloucester would battle it out with The Leicester Tigers in Kingsholm, but first Bath welcomed Exeter to the Rec. Nick Abendanon fed Ben Williams and he crossed on the touchline with the game only 3 minutes old; a tricky conversion was just standard for fly-half Stephen Donald. Captain Francois Louw breaks the line minutes later and comes up just short of the Chiefs’ line. Donald cleans up and throws a smart pass to Kyle Eastmond who scores in the corner bringing the Bath surplus to 12 points. Exeter manage a try of their own through Brett Sturgess; keeping them in it for the time being. Louw scores another try to assure victory for Bath, but the second half’s most notable moment was when Dan Hipkiss, already sin-binned, gets red-carded for hitting the ball into the crowd, preventing a quick Chiefs’ lineout.
Saints and Sarries would play out a kicking contest for all intents and purposes; really against the head stuff. The only try coming from some nice hands all the way to the Saints line; Schalk Brits breaks the gain line and gets the pass in to Alex Goode, who scores like his brother the day before. A second try-scoring effort presented itself for Saracens late in the second half; Chris Ashton kicked on a wayward Ryan Lamb pass but his awkward boot led to a bounce that Sarries could get on top of. Own Farrell kicked a couple of penalties and Saracens walked away; knocking Northampton off the top of the table.
Saturday’s blockbuster event was always going to be the clash of Gloucester and Leicester. The Tigers were going to be riding high after last weekend in Europe, as will Gloucester who have won two from two in the Amlin. Charlie Sharples pounced on a lovely grubber kick in the first minute to give the Cherry & Whites the opening score; Freddie Burns converting. Scott Hamilton, with help from Manu Tuilagi, brought Leicester back within two points of the home side with a try in the corner. But Gloucester were just too good for the Tigers. Freddie Burns, surely disappointed with not having been called up to the English squad, showed Stuart Lancaster what he was missing out on. He chipped and chased his own kick and scored from close range. Toby Flood was kicking on well on the day, after a great performance in against the Ospreys last weekend, but not even that could stop Gloucester on a day where they were throwing the kitchen sink at the visitors. James Simpson-Daniel, another man who should have been included in Lancaster’s England squad, set up a great third try for the Cherry & Whites. His pass to the openside, Qera, saw the flanker power across the line and sum up a great afternoon at the Shed.
Sunday would be London derby day. A standard enough affair at Adams Park where it was a case of wingers let loose; with both Christian Wade and Tom Varndell scoring a brace of tries for London Wasp. Welsh would claim back two tries through Phil MacKenzie and Franck Montanella but Wasps were able to hang on and claim the bonus point for their four tries.
Elsewhere, at the Madejski Stadium, London Irish would hope to claim another top class Premiership victory; this time against the champions Harlequins. All was going to plan for Irish when Jamie Gibson charged down a clearing kick and Guy Armitage was all over it to snatch the try. The conversion from Humphreys would put The Exiles in front by a point. It wasn’t long before Danny Care showed all of Reading why he’s going to be first choice scrum-half for the Autumn series. An crafty intercept and some immense pace saw the little halfback touch down between the sticks for Quins. Tom Williams, blood-free, goes over in the corner, but Ian Humphreys kicking is phenomenal and puts Irish in the lead with minutes to go. But the wind of fortune blows in favour of the champions as the TMO rules a touchdown a try, saying there was no knock-on and Harlequins regain their table top position by the skin of their teeth. Devastating for Irish who probably deserved the win on the day.
Results
Worcester Warriors 23-16 Sale Sharks
Bath Rugby 23-15 Exeter Chiefs
Northampton Saints 6-16 Saracens
Gloucester Rugby 27-21 Leicester Tigers
London Irish 28-31 Harlequins
London Wasps 29-19 London Welsh
Next Round
Friday, 2 November 2012
Sale v London Irish, 20:00
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Leicester v Northampton, 14:15
Exeter v Worcester, 15:00
Harlequins v Gloucester, 17:15
Sunday, 4 November 2012
Saracens v Wasps, 14:15
London Welsh v Bath, 15:00
