Quins slipped out of pole position in the Premiership was Wasps move into the top 4, writes Felix McCabe…
With the winter break behind us, I am glad to say I'm back on Harpin on Rugby 2 with all the action from the Aviva Premiership. Diving straight back into things, Sale welcomed the Exeter Chiefs to the Salford City Stadium. They had recently produced back-to-back victories in the LV Cup and I, for one, was hoping this form could be carried through in their league endeavours. However, it was Exeter who lead the scoreboard 13-5 at the half. A superb charge through the centre ended with the ball in the capable clasp of Watisoni Votu; who grounded the ball for the visitors. The Chiefs should have put the game to bed there and then (something coach Rob Baxter admitted in his post-game interview) but the Manchester men pulled it out of the bag. A phase of play that involved almost all the Sharks men resulted in Mark Cueto bundling over the line. Miller converted: add that to a penalty from Cipriani and a drop goal from Macleod and it's easy to see where the Sharks secured their first Premiership victory of the year.
Ill discipline might have cost Northampton their play-off chances this season as two yellow cards and a brace of Johnny May tries led Gloucester to victory at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday afternoon. Rob Cook (fullback)’s accurate boot didn’t help the Saints much either, but ultimately it was their poor defence; conceding two soft tries which let them down. Jim Mallinder admitted that the performance was not good enough to merit his side’s inclusion in the top four. It will be first time in four years that Northampton won’t make the semis unless something drastically changes.
It’s always good to hear tales of the Irish diaspora and Peter Stringer’s stories of late seem to include a lot of touchdowns. As Bath recorded another victory this weekend, Stringer was, again, on hand to do some scoring. The 5’7” scrumhalf from Co. Cork registered two tries on his debut for Bath; a shout-out to his many critics this side of the Irish Sea. Continuing that form he produced the first of five tries (Rob Webber, Tom Biggs and Horacio Agulla (2) adding to that) at the Rec against a disjointed, and uninterested, Worcester side. They held onto the ball for a good portion of the play but couldn’t do anything with it. Bath’s solid defence kept the threat of a try at bay and the Warriors settled for three first-half penalties. Worcester was a relatively easy game, but they won’t get that next week when they return to the Recreational Ground to face London Irish.
Irish registered just desserts against Saracens when the sides met in the Madjeski on Saturday. Sarries, missing their talisman kicker Owen Farrell, lucked out in this clash as mistakes cost them dearly. A beautifully timed intercept gifted Shane Geraghty the first try of the game. Tom Homer, adding the extras on a day when his boot couldn’t miss. Sarries managed to get back into the game when David Strettle, fresh from the English camp, touched down under the sticks. But it wasn’t to be a ninth straight victory for Saracens as more mistakes allowed Topsy Ojo a sneaky intercept after a fumble. Replacement, Ofisa Treviranus, got on the end of it and sailed over in the corner to see the game out. It finished 29-16 at the Madejski Stadium.
Leicester were without their regular fly-half in Toby Flood, but young George Ford was more than capable of stepping up to the mark when his side met The Exiles. Ford is no stranger to the number 10 jersey and relishes the opportunity when he does make selection. This occasion being no different. He managed to kick 5/7, which was enough considering the Tigers were in a try-scoring mood. Adam Thompstone scored the first, coming through the centre and managing to avoid a lax, Welsh defence. Ford and Anthony Allen’s quick hands exploited an overlap that sent Niall Morris over in the corner for their second try and it was sewn up when replacement kicker, Dan Bowden, crossed in the opposite corner on the brink of fulltime. London Welsh now face what will likely be a relegation decider when they meet Sale Sharks next weekend.
The London Wasps surprised everyone when they knocked the defending champions off the top of the table. Magical tries from this blogger’s favourite wingers, Wade and Varndell, contributed towards Wasps’ first win at the Stoop in six years. Harlequins weren’t walk-overs though. Nick Evans’s kicking and a try from Matt Hopper off a terrible decision from Hugo Southwell brought the home side within a point but a late penalty from Evans sailed to the posts and right. Wasps with a bit of luck to win it out.
Looking at the table, Leicester go top after their win over Welsh. Quins drop to second and Sarries to third. Wasps remain in that pivotal fourth spot but both, Gloucester and Northampton are within touching distance. The race to the play-offs is well and truly on and this year’s will be tight. At the opposite end of the table, Sale, Irish, and Welsh will have to battle it out to stay in the Premiership. The Sharks needing a crucial victory next week against Welsh. Bath, Worcester and Exeter should be relieved but will all be bidding to put themselves in higher table positions and in possible contention for the play-offs.
Results
Sale Sharks 21 – 16 Exeter Chiefs
Northampton Saints 11 – 27 Gloucester Rugby
Bath Rugby 32 – 9 Worcester Warriors
Leicester Tigers 28 – 12 London Welsh
London Irish 29 – 16 Saracens
Harlequins 16 – 17 London Wasps
Next Round
Bath Rugby v London Irish
Saracens v Exeter Chiefs
Worcester Warriors v Northampton Saints
Harlequins v Leicester Tigers
London Wasps v Gloucester Rugby
London Welsh v Sale Sharks
Felix (@felix_mccabe): Blogger, eternal student of business & law, sunshine rugby player with a passion for music and fitness. Coffee is essential. Leinster fan and Irish proud.
