A fantastic Danny Care try was enough to put Quins back on top, writes Felix McCabe…
Bath, at home again this weekend, were looking to keep London Irish at the fringes of the Premiership table when the two sides met this weekend. A routine enough outing for the home side, as quick hands and free-flowing rugby saw them looking dangerous in the opening exchanges of the game. On the stroke of half-time Biggs was clear in the corner were it not for Topsy Ojo; the high tackle resulted in a penalty try and a sin-binning for his troubles. There was no luck for the Irish from there on out as Bath kept running through the phases. Peter Stringer, continuing a run of good form, showing that expert pass he was famous for in Ireland. He picked Tom Heathcote off a line out, who's majestic hands found, Abendanon and the rest they say is history. Heathcote added the extras and the home side led 17-9 at the break. Discipline became a real problem for the London outfit in the second half, with Tom Homer and Jon Fisher both spending 10s in the bin. It was only in the last five minutes that Bath were able to exploit this. First Nathan Catt bundled over from a 5-metre line out and then his bench-partner, Anthony Perenise, followed suit 3 minutes later. Bath maintaining form to win it 40-16 at The Rec.
Sarries started their tenure at Allianz Park with a 31-11 demolition of the Exeter Chiefs on Saturday. The graceful kicking prowess of Charlie Hodgson ,accompanied by a try, gave him a personal tallie of 19 points. However, all eyes were on the main man Mako. Returning from English camp this weekend prop, Vunipola, was in flying form. He crossed the white wash twice for Saracens and put in a strong 70-minute shift. Captain, Richard Baxter scored a consolation try for the visitors, but they weren't going to beat Sarries in their new fortress with that performance. The Chiefs are making a habit of this losing lark and would want to get their heads in the game before facing the Champions in two weeks time. You could see them showing up to Sandy Park and beating Welsh next week, but against Quins at the Stoop will be a different story all together.
The Saints secured an all-important victory whilst their closest (table) rivals Gloucester went down to the new English superpower, Wasps. Northampton's kicking contest against Worcester saw Andy Goode come off the better of Stephen Myler. It was the efforts of flanker, Samu Manoa, that gave the Saints the all important points-buffer away from home.
At Adams Park, the Londoners were outscored by their visitors, but managed to keep a four-point gap through the boots of Stephen Jones and Nick Robinson respectfully. In typical Wasps fashion, Christian Wade scored a cracking try from half way, zig-zagging his way through the Gloucester defence before touching down under the sticks. Gloucester's captain, Mike Tindall managed a score that was supplemented by his team mates Robson, Mills, and Charlie Sharples, but it just out of reach for the Cherry & Whites on a week where they looked like they'd stage a comeback. Wasps maintain their fourth place spot and Gloucester will remain in 5th; just a point ahead of Northampton.
The weekend's highlight match was always going to be the table-top clash of Harlequins v The Leicester Tigers and boy was it a close one! Toby Flood managed a personal tally of 16 points but this was matched by the fierce Ben Botica; he managed 20 points off his boot. It was a fantastic Danny Care try — the scrum half running half the length of the pitch — that gave Quins the advantage that they needed. Harlequins dominated the breakdown and the crowd rallied behind them as the power of the Stoop took hold. It finished tight with Quins clinching a 25-21 victory and regaining the top spot in the Premiership. After the game Conor O'Shea praised his team's efforts, saying ‘we were physical, we were magnificent.’
Potent words from the coach. He is right though. This Quins side goes from strength to strength to strength. If they can maintain their form you can see them going to Manchester and putting away the Sharks before welcoming back the Chiefs in two weeks time. You have to believe, if they don't suffer injuries (through England of league game) their next big opportunity will be at the end of March when they travel to Allianz Park to play Sarries. Game of the season potential right there.
The weekend's final clash was, again, a evening of egg-punting. Sale have hit a run of form of late and going to Oxford was not going to deter them. They know they're facing relegation, but at this stage they just need to forget about that and PLAY SOME RUGBY! It's great when you see them do just that. Danny Cipriani and Alex Davies exchanged penalties in the first half; Gavin Henson added one for good measure too but it was the Sharks that lead at the break. Cipriani and Henson are no strangers and it only added to the occasion having both back on the field together. The Welshman set up the Exiles only try; his quick hands inside to MacKenzie, off his wing, allowed Welsh to take a brief lead. Henson added to this with a penalty but it was impact-sub Nick Macleod who iced the cake for Sharks who claimed another victory — never thought I'd say that this season. They know are just one point off London Irish at the bottom of the table. It's all to play for now!
Results
Bath Rugby 40-16 London Irish
Saracens 31-11 Exeter Chiefs
Worcester Warriors 18-27 Northampton Saints
Harlequins 25-21 Leicester Tigers
London Wasps 33-29 Gloucester Rugby
London Welsh 25-26 Sale Sharks
Friday, February 22
Gloucester v Worcester
Sale Sharks v Harlequins
Saturday, February 23
Exeter Chiefs v London Welsh
Northampton v Bath
Leicester v Saracens
Sunday, February 24
London Irish v London Wasps
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.
