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**dudeabides** · 03-28-2010, 01:41 PM

Northampton v Wasps:

Quote:

Northampton Saints closed the gap at the top of the table to two points with a hard fought 14-9 victory over Wasps at Franklin's Gardens.

Stephen Myler came off the bench to seal the win as his six points from a drop goal and penalty in the last ten minutes clinched the victory at the end of a hard fought encounter. Wasps played well, but ultimately they failed to take their chances and they had to head home with just a bonus point for comfort.

They remain in fourth, twelve points behind the Saints and having played a game more than all of their play-off rivals. Northampton, however, showed no hangover from their Anglo-Welsh Cup win last weekend and are now honing in on a home semi-final after they completed their 21st home game without defeat.

Bruce Reihana put the hosts in front after eight minutes of the first-half, but it was Wasps who were on top of the error prone Saints early on and Danny Cipriani kicked two penalties to put his side in the ascendancy 27 minutes in.

But they couldn't make their possession pay, and were punished by the clinical Northampton men with two minutes remaining in the opening half. There was more than a hint of crossing for the score, as James Downey appeared to block Tom Varndell's efforts to get to Roger Wilson.

But no whistle was heard, and the former Ulster No.8 stepped inside the England wing to score. The try was created initially by great work from Shane Geraghty who beat Joe Worsley before feeding Chris Ashton. Props Brian Mujati and Soane Tonga'uiha battered the line, before Reihana's neat pass put Wilson away in the corner.

Substitute Dave Walder edged the Londoners back in front after the break before Cipriani played Tim Payne in only for the prop to knock-on, and a brilliant Neil Best tackle denied Paul Sackey short of the line on 54 minutes. Varndell's speed took him into space and his offload to Sackey appeared to have put the winger in, but Best came from nowhere to make the tackle, get to his feet and create the steal for Downey to clear.

Cipriani did touch the ball down, only to be called back for a Sackey forward pass as Mallinder brought Myler off the bench with sixteen minutes remaining and the youngster showed his class with a snap drop-goal, before holding his nerve to nail the crucial penalty.

http://www.scrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/113369.html

**dudeabides** · 03-28-2010, 01:44 PM

Other Round 18 matches in the Premiership,

Sale v London Irish:

Quote:

Steffon Armitage bagged two tries as London Irish reclaimed fourth place with a resounding 38-0 rout of the relegation-threatened Sale Sharks at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Exiles never looked back after John Rudd's early touchdown, with Ryan Lamb's boot keeping the scoreboard ticking over before Armitage struck twice in the space of seven second-half minutes. Peter Hewat sealed the bonus point with just over 15 minutes to go before Alex Corbisiero put the seal on a stirring win when he crossed late on.

Despite the return of international stars Mark Cueto, Mathew Tait and Dwayne Peel, Sale looked utterly toothless in attack and at no point looked capable of emulating last weekend's win over another London side in Wasps.

Indeed, there only ever looked one winner after Rudd had touched down in the corner after demonstrating impressive strength in holding off Sale flanker David Seymour. The Exiles were over again in the 13th minute but what would have been a timely try for the out-of-form Delon Armitage was ruled out because of a forward pass from Elvis Seveali'i. It mattered not a jot to the dominant hosts, though, and Lamb stroked over three penalties to help Irish into a 14-0 interval lead, the fly-half passing the 500-point mark in the Guinness Premiership in the process.

The Exiles effectively put the game beyond the ineffective Falcons five minutes after the restart when Steffon Armitage grounded the ball in the right corner after a rampaging run from Chris Hala'ufia had stretched the visitors' defence to breaking point. England flanker Armitage dotted again in the 51st minute, with Hala'ufia again the creator.

The only remaining goal for the home side was to secure the bonus point and it arrived when Hewat dived over in the left corner after a slick passing move involving Lamb, Seilala Mapusua and Rudd. The rout was completed when Corbisiero burrowed his way over from close range after a spell of incessant forward pressure from the Exiles.

Saracens v Newcastle:

Quote:

Third-placed Saracens arrested their recent slump in form courtesy of a commanding 58-15 victory over the struggling Newcastle Falcons at Vicarage Road.

Schalk Brits and Ernst Joubert both crossed twice, while Andy Saull, Noah Cato and Richard Haughton all scored one try apiece during a morale-boosting win for the hosts after a run of five defeats in six.

In addition, Sarries fly-half Glen Jackson had a productive afternoon with the boot, the Kiwi contributing 23 points in total. Jackson's opposite number, Jimmy Gopperth, accounted for all of the visitors' points but his performance was on the one highlight on an otherwise dark day for the Falcons.

Gopperth had actually kicked Newcastle into an early six-point lead, landing an ugly drop goal after three minutes and then following it up with a far more aesthetically pleasing penalty from half-way.

Less than 60 seconds later, though, Brits took the game by the scruff of the neck, crashing over under the posts after a barn-storming run which left a succession of would-be tacklers trailing in his wake. Newcastle responded with another Gopperth penalty but Brits struck again in the 15th minute, the hooker this time the beneficiary of an excellent break from Adam Powell.

Gopperth kept the Falcons right in contention with another penalty but Saracens took a firm grip on the game with a crucially-timed try from Andy Saull just before the break, the openside flanker barging over under the posts just 60 seconds after being forced into touch with the whitewash in his sights. Jackson converted and then added a penalty to help Sarries into a healthy 27-12 lead at the break.

Gopperth reduced Newcastle's arrears with another fine strike on goal shortly after half-time but there was to be no derailing Sarries, who cut loose in the final quarter. Cato finished superbly on the hour after a collecting a loose ball inside his own half before Joubert cruised over after intercepting a loose pass from Newcastle scrum-half Micky Young. Replacement wing Haughton then got in on the act before Joubert touched down again in the dying seconds.

Bath v Harlequins:

Quote:

Bath stretched their unbeaten run to seven games at the Rec on Saturday afternoon as they continue to look like viable play-off candidates.

Harlequins were their latest victims on Conor O'Shea's first match day as director of rugby, going down 24-13 to the in-form hosts. Olly Barkley produced a fine performance and the inside centre finished with 14 of their total, with a try, three conversions and one penalty.

The hosts produced a strong opening and were 10-0 up after ten minutes thanks to Barkley kicked a penalty before converting his own try. Former All Black Nick Evans kicked two penalties to bring 'Quins into the game, the second making the score 10-6 on the verge of half-time.

Duncan Bell was the unlikely try scorer for Bath ten minutes after the break, the big prop scoring ten minutes in before Barkley added the conversion. And wing Joe Maddock gave the visitors a mountain to climb three minutes later with a try which was again converted by Barkley.

Bath will be disappointed that they couldn't rally for a bonus point try, but credit must go to Harlequins, who brought themselves back into the game when substitute Tom Williams crossed for a try three minutes from time. Evans converted, but that was as close as they came to a losing bonus.

Leicester v Worcester:

Quote:

The Tigers continued their dominance at Sixways, with a 38-19 victory over basement boys Worcester.

Toby Flood kicked 24 points for the league leaders, who failed to claim a bonus point despite their 38-point haul. Mike Ruddock's men remain rooted to the foot of the table despite 18 points from the boot of Willie Walker, but there will be some comfort in the knowledge that they've gotten Leicester out of the way, while relegation rivals Leeds also lost.

Irish utility back Jeremy Staunton crossed for an early try after good work from Ben Smith, with Flood then getting his excellent kicking display underway with the penalty. Walker kept his side in it with four penalties and the score was 13-12 at the break, but Richard Cockerill's men powered on from there. Ben Youngs scorched over for a try ten minutes after the interval, while Flood continued with the kicks before replacement James Grindal finished the job late on.

Leeds v Gloucester:

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Fellow strugglers Leeds failed to score against Gloucester as they slumped to a disappointing 19-0 defeat at Kingsholm.

The hosts maintained their late push for a top-four place, with Nicky Robinson scoring all of their points in a dominant display. But the bad news for the Cherry and Whites was the departure of the unlucky Mike Tindall, who suffered a groin injury after just six minutes of play.

The Yorkshiremen, who came into the match in form, looked like causing problems at the outset but Welsh fly-half Robinson kicked three first-half penalties for the hosts, adding another after the break for good measure. And although they suffered another injury blow when Wales No.8 Gareth Delve limped off, Robinson closed out the match when he spotted a gap between Ceiron Thomas and Scott Barrow on the edge of the Leeds '22 and beat Hendrie Fourie to the line to score.

Bath's run continues | Rugby Union | English Premiership | Rugby News | Scrum.com

**dudeabides** · 03-31-2010, 06:49 PM

Newcastle v Gloucester:

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Newcastle Falcons struck a vital blow in the fight against relegation with a 25-13 victory over Gloucester at Kingston Park.

England Sevens wing Tom Biggs, recalled to the side, struck the vital blow with a first-half try while Kiwi pivot Jimmy Gopperth weighed in with 20 points from the tee.

Gloucester struck back in the second-half with a score from replacement fly-half Tim Taylor but remain stuck in mid-table. Newcastle move level on points with Harlequins and have some breathing room prior to Sale and Worcester's vital meeting on Friday night.

Both sides started nervously but with positive intentions and it was Newcastle who looked the sharper up front. A driving maul and quick burst by Tane Tu'ipulotu ended in a seventh-minute penalty from Gopperth which gave the Falcons the lead.

Gloucester spurned a great chance to register the opening try when Lesley Vainikolo burst through but Charlie Sharples spilled the ball just metres from the line with no Newcastle player in sight, before Biggs almost went over at the other end after he chased his own kick through.

But Biggs did score when he got on the end of Tu'ipulotu's pass after the big centre had surged through the Gloucester defence. He was brought down just short of the line but got in his pass for Biggs to cross. Gopperth converted for a 10-0 lead after 15 minutes.

Fly-half Nicky Robinson got Gloucester on the board with a 19th-minute penalty as the Cherry and Whites went up a gear but big tackles from Biggs and Josh Afu on Sharples and Rory Lawson kept them out until Robinson kicked a second penalty after 28 minutes.

Newcastle ended the half on top after several forays through their forwards and Gopperth was off target with a drop goal after Ed Willamson's surge, but the Kiwi was on the mark with a 39th-minute penalty after some powerful carries from Jon Golding, Williamson and Filipo Levi saw Gloucester penalised for not rolling away in the tackle.

Gopperth stretched Newcastle's lead to 16-6 two minutes into the second half with a penalty when Gloucester handled in a ruck and another followed in the 51st minute when the Falcons overpowered the visitors' scrum.

But fullback Alex Tait's knock-on opened the door for Taylor to surge through for a try converted by Robinson in the 60th minute to bring Gloucester back into the game at 19-13. Gopperth was wide with a long-range penalty attempt but then gave Newcastle breathing space with another big kick in the 65th minute.

The former Wellington stand-off then hammered over a 45-metre shot in the 65th minute to put Newcastle 22-13 in front.The Falcons' forwards sensed victory and piled in to win another penalty in the 69th minute. Gopperth banging over his sixth three-pointer to seal the win.

Falcons battle to vital victory | Rugby Union | English Premiership | Rugby Match Pack | Scrum.com

**dudeabides** · 04-02-2010, 06:04 PM

Sale v Worcester:

Quote:

England wing Mark Cueto ended his long wait for a try by scoring Sale's vital five-pointer in a 17-3 victory over relegation rivals Worcester at Edgeley Park on Friday night.

Cueto's second-half score was complemented by 12 points from the excellent Charlie Hodgson while Mathew Tait terrorised the Worcester defence with a Man of the Match display. The result moves the Sharks six points clear of danger while Worcester are left two points adrift of Leeds at the bottom. Fly-half Willie Walker kicked the visitors' only points in a poor display where their possession and territory mattered for little due to some pedestrian attacking options.

After a tentative opening spell it was the Warriors who launched the game's first meaningful attack but their lack of invention allowed Cueto to snaffle a loose pass and clear his lines. Worcester dominated possession but were unable to fashion a try-scoring opportunity, with Walker and Chris Pennell both missing long-range penalty opportunities to compound their lack of a cutting edge.

Hodgson opened the scoring with a well-taken penalty and doubled Sale's lead with a snap drop-goal after Tait had sparked the home crowd into life with a fantastic outside break that had Worcester scrabbling frantically.

Walker sent a third kick spiralling wide of the uprights but as Sale continued to press Hodgson played the percentages superbly and stroked over a brilliant drop-goal from long-range.

Walker finally got Worcester on the board with a simple kick from in front of the posts just after the break but there was no reward for some early surges towards the Sale line, with skipper Pat Sanderson also forced off after taking a heavy blow.

Walker missed with a shoddy drop-goal but Hodgson failed to punish his profligacy with another penalty following more fine work from Tait. A deft step from the centre opened up the space and after Ben Cohen had powered on Worcester resorted to an illegal block as Sale chased a Hodgson chip.

Sanderson's replacement Chris Cracknell handed three points to Hodgson soon after though, foolishly handling in the ruck and rewarding Sale's pressure. The game's vital moment arrived with Cueto's try, a result of fine handling and some heads-up play from Hodgson.

His half-break allowed Tait to again find space and Neil Briggs powered up in support to run hard at the heart of the Warriors. Marika Vakacegu collected Briggs' offload and when his pass went to ground Cueto collected the ball and pounced in the corner. Hodgson missed the conversion and Worcester were denied a certain score when poor handling wasted breaks from Chris Latham and Rico Gear out wide.

Cracknell had a late chance to secure a losing bonus-point for the visitors but was held up close to the line following a quick-tap penalty, with the TMO condemning the Warriors to yet another defeat in what is becoming a nightmare season.

Cueto pounces to seal vital win | Rugby Union | English Premiership | Rugby Match Pack | Scrum.com

**dudeabides** · 04-03-2010, 05:58 PM

Leicester v Bath:

Quote:

Leicester strengthened their grip at the top of the Guinness Premiership table with a commanding 43-20 bonus point victory over Bath at Welford Road.

Alesana Tuilagi ran in the first try with just 26 seconds on the clock and Bath, given a rough time by the Tigers pack, looked a pale shadow of the team that had rattled off seven successive league wins. By the break they were 25-13 behind after conceding two more tries to Tuilagi and lock Geoff Parling. Second-half scores by Anthony Allen and a penalty try confirmed the Tigers' superiority. Bath could only muster a try in each half by wings Joe Maddock and Matt Banahan.

Leicester were gifted the best possible start when Shontayne Hape was robbed of the ball by Matt Smith and a quick pass gave Tuilagi a simple run-in from half-way. Fly-half Toby Flood converted from wide out on the left. Olly Barkley quickly pulled back three points with a penalty but it was all Leicester at this stage and Flood, after missing a 40-metre effort, restored the seven-point lead from short-range.

Bath were winning no popularity contests with referee Sean Davey and on 16 minutes he issued a warning to skipper Michael Claassens for repeated infringements. Flood's penalty set up a line-out on the Bath 22 and simple off-the-top ball stretched the visitors' defence before Tuilagi was left with a simple touchdown at the corner, although Flood failed to add the extras. Bath responded with a 23rd minute try through Maddock. Leicester spilled the ball and the Kiwi winger was quickest to reach the kick-ahead, eluding Lewis Moody to score under the posts. Barkley adding the conversion.

But having battled their way back into the game, the visitors' lost ex-Leicester lock Peter Short to the sin-bin for knocking the ball out of Ben Youngs' hands at the back of a ruck in the 34th minute. Flood made it 18-10 with the resulting kick but Barkley, one of the few cool heads in the Bath team, replied by knocking over a kick from near halfway.

The visitors would have been happy to go in just five points adrift considering the pressure they had been under, but they lost control of a scrum in their own 22 and Tom Croft's surge to the posts made space for a third try in injury time for Parling. Flood's conversion sent his team in at the break with a 25-13 lead. Bath reappeared without Barkley, replaced by Australian Matt Carraro, and Tigers took advantage within three minutes, sending Anthony Allen in at the corner for the bonus point try. Flood's conversion and a third penalty on 47 minutes established a 20-point lead and the Tigers took their foot off the pedal.

Bath fought back with a 54th minute Banahan try, courtesy of a neat flick pass by fly-half Butch James, who also added the conversion. Flood's fourth penalty roused the Tigers for a final effort as the Bath scrum buckled on their own line to concede a 75th minute penalty try. Flood's conversion took his personal tally to 18 points and rounded off a dominant display from the reigning champions.

Northampton v Leeds Carnegie:

Quote:

Elsewhere, Northampton kept pace with the Tigers with a 14-7 win against Leeds Carnegie at Headingley. The Saints had an abundance of possession but did not seal victory until three minutes from the end with a try from the impressive Ben Foden. Battling Leeds secured a most valuable bonus point in their fight against relegation. The home side began strongly with Alfie To'oala bumping over Juandre Kruger with a storming run straight from the kick-off. Scrum-half Scott Mathie followed the movement on with a neat break but the Saints kept their line intact.

Leeds continued to have the better of the opening exchanges but it was the visitors who opened the scoring after five minutes with a penalty from Stephen Myler after Kearnan Myall was sin-binned for punching at a skirmish following a line-out. The Saints should have extended their lead minutes later but Myler made a hash of a simple drop-goal opportunity and then missed a routine penalty attempt.

Northampton dominated play in Myall's absence but they were unable to increase their advantage. The Saints were made to pay for not taking their chances as Leeds built up a period of pressure with To'oala at the heart of their efforts. They were rewarded after 27 minutes when prop Juan Gomez was driven over for the try from close range. Ceiron Thomas added the conversion. Back came Northampton as they dominated the remainder of the half. They adopted their usual free-flowing style of play but stern defence from Leeds ensured that the home side kept their 7-3 lead at the interval.

Leeds failed to collect the restart kick for the second half, allowing the Saints a position within the home 22 and when the home side were penalised Myler reduced the arrears after three minutes of the half. The Saints had problems on their line-out which prevented them from building up more pressure and Thomas had a chance to restore his side's advantage but his kick from halfway was nowhere near.

Northampton continued to dominate in terms of territory and possession but their finishing was not clinical enough. Foden produced a couple of magical trademark runs but once again the Saints lost possession. The visitors were then awarded a penalty 35 metres out but inexplicably Lee Dickson took a quick penalty and another chance was lost.

Eventually pressure had to be rewarded and Myler kicked the Saints back into the lead with 14 minutes to go. At long last the Saints finally got their just desserts with a try from Foden three minutes from time when Bruce Reihana fielded a Myler cross kick ahead. The wing kicked ahead and Foden collected to score. Myler failed to convert from the touchline to enable Leeds to retain their bonus point.

**dudeabides** · 04-03-2010, 05:58 PM

Gloucester v Saracens:

Quote:

Gloucester kept their European hopes alive with a 29-28 victory over Saracens at Kingsholm. Teenage fullback Freddie Burns was the star of the show with 19 points courtesy of five penalties and two conversions but both sides contributed to a feast of attacking rugby that defied the wet conditions.

Saracens started at a real pace, and after fullback Alex Goode's corner try effort was ruled out by the video referee, fly-half Glen Jackson boomed over a 40-metre penalty to open the scoring. Burns levelled with a penalty and Gloucester took the lead with another Burns effort but Saracens countered on the half-hour mark with a sizzling try. The ball passed through a multitude of hands around the halfway line before it went wide where wing Chris Wyles just kept himself the right side of the touchline before sending centre Brad Barritt over under the posts.

That got Gloucester focused and they countered to regain the lead when centre Tim Molenaar blasted through the Saracens defence and nearly got over the line himself. When the ball was recycled, centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu sent a long pass out to wing Charlie Sharples to slip over in the corner. Burns sent over a touchline conversion before Jackson levelled the game at 13-13. Then, on half-time, the Gloucester fullback booted an outstanding penalty from the left touchline to give his side the lead.

After the break, Burns put a cross-kick to the right for Sharples to grab, get past scrum-half Neil de Kock and score in the corner. Burns converted to put the Cherry and Whites 10 points in front and place Saracens under real pressure. Yet a brilliant try, when Saracens created space on the right for skipper Ernst Joubert to put in Wyles, put the visitors back in the match. That was sandwiched by two penalties from the boot of Burns.

But a third Saracens penalty of the match, this time from replacement Derick Hougaard, put the visitors just eight points behind at 29-21. The match deserved a blistering climax and it got one as Goode grabbed a try five minutes from the end, Hougaard converted and Saracens were suddenly one point away from Gloucester. Hougaard had a 52-metre penalty to win the game but it went wide as the home players threw their hands in the air in delight at a breathtaking victory.

Harlequins v Newcastle:

Quote:

Fly-half Nick Evans steered Harlequins to a 23-14 victory over Newcastle at The Stoop that by scoring all his team's points with two tries, two conversions and three penalties. Days of rain in the lead up to the clash ensured a heavy pitch with errors littering the opening before Jimmy Gopperth opened the scoring for the visitors with a penalty aguer Tom Guest was penalised for diving into the side of a ruck. Quins rallied with a strong passage of play but Mike Brown could only pull his drop goal attempt wide of the posts. But within seconds, Quins were back on the front foot and when Newcastle killed the ball, Evans levelled the scores and Gopperth was sin-binned.

Stand-in kicker Charlie Amesbury hooked a penalty before Evans delivered a touch of class - snatching up a loose pass from Danny Care, before spinning clear of an incoming tackler from behind, side-stepping another and accelerating clear of the cover to score a beauty of a try between the posts before adding the conversion. Newcastle rallied and earned a penalty for offside four minutes from the break which Gopporth slotted.

A searing run by Amesbury set up Newcastle's next score when an exchange of passes with Alex Walker resulted in a fine try when Walker outpaced the covering defenders. Evans edged Quins back in front with a penalty after 50 minutes and another four minuts later after Newcastle pulled down a maul. Newcastle reduced the arrears on 62 minutes with another Gopperth penalty. And his score inspired Newcastle to up their tempo and it needed a fine tackle by Brown to stopped a dangerous break on the left by Tom Biggs.

Quins could have wrapped things up six minutes from time when Tom Williams found space wide on the right. But when delivered a long flat pass, Williams knocked it on. But two minutes later all was forgiven. Williams fielded a clearance and began an attack involving five players but was finished by the outstanding Evans who completed the scoring with the conversion.

Leicester cement top spot | Rugby Union | English Premiership | Rugby News | Scrum.com

**dudeabides** · 04-04-2010, 04:47 PM

London Wasps v London Irish:

Quote:

London Wasps powered into the top four with a 33-22 bonus point victory over London Irish at Adams Park on Sunday that saw them leapfrog the Exiles into the play-off places. Irish suffered a controversial penalty-try setback after only three minutes when Armitage hauled down David Lemi off the ball as he chased a grubber-kick up the left by Joe Simpson. The penalty try was subsequently awarded and Armitage was sent to the sin-bin.

Dave Walder converted the try and added two further penalties before Irish hit back when Seilala Mapusua bored over for a score, converted by Lamb. Irish should have scored again after a scorching counter-attack sparked by Mapusua, Delon Armitage and Elvis Seveali'i. But Steve Kefu knocked on as Hodgson tried to pass, so Debney sent him to the bin and awarded a penalty, kicked by Lamb. Back stormed Wasps with Tom Varndell latching onto a kick from Dominic Waldouck to score in the corner and another soon followed with Dan Ward-Smith getting on the end of a sweeping move.

Wasps turned the screw with replacement fly-half Danny Cipriani creating a try for Waldouck that secured the bonus point. Steffon Armitage was shunted over for his sixth try in five games midway through the second half and replacement prop James Tideswell came off the bench in the 70th minute and scored almost immediately. Cipriani calmed home nerves with a penalty three minutes from time after Peter Hewatt was penalised for a high tackle.

Leicester cement top spot | Rugby Union | English Premiership | Rugby News | Scrum.com

Top 4 in the Premiership table:

1. Leicester 63 pts.
2. Northampton 60 pts.
3. Saracens 52 pts.
4. Wasps 49 pts.

The Irish are only 1 point behind.

**dudeabides** · 04-09-2010, 06:54 PM

Saracens v Sale:

Quote:

Saracens took a huge step towards qualification for the Guinness Premiership play-offs with a compelling 30-19 victory over hosts Sale at Edgeley Park.

The visitors consolidated third place in the table, which would earn them an away semi-final next month, but defeat leaves Sale still in danger of relegation. The Sharks remain third from bottom, but the two sides below them - Leeds and Worcester - are in action in separate games in hand tomorrow.

Sisa Koyamaibole crossed for Sale after 10 minutes, but Chris Wyles struck back on 22, before Charlie Hodgson's boot established a 16-13 half-time advantage for the hosts. Saracens dominated the second period, deservedly going in front through fullback Alex Goode's try on 49 minutes, but initially could not put the game to bed. However, centre Brad Barritt's try five minutes from time made the points safe.

Hougaard kicked Sarries ahead with an early penalty and the visitors then put several phases together and the fly-half doubled their lead with another straightforward kick. Sale centre Lee Thomas was wide with a penalty from his own half, but flanker Koyamaibole made amends a minute later when he spotted a gap to burrow over from close range on the right. Hodgson slotted the conversion to put the Sharks in front. Hougaard then shanked a drop-goal attempt and pushed a central penalty to the left of the posts.

However, just as Sale had after Jones' miss, Saracens immediately crossed when Wyles broke two tackles on the left wing to touch down in the corner. Hougaard nailed a tricky touchline conversion, but it was his last contribution as he was replaced by Glen Jackson. Hodgson's penalty soon narrowed the gap before Marshall's dangerous dart into Sale's 22 came to nothing.

Hodgson was again on target moments later to level the score. He soon restored the hosts' lead with a neat drop-goal. It could have been better for Sale, but Jones missed with another penalty from beyond halfway and Hodgson put a much easier kick wide on the stroke of half-time.

The fly-half was back on target five minutes into the second half with a central penalty and Goode, tasked with kicking duties ahead of Jackson, missed an opportunity to halve the deficit when he struck the right post from a penalty. The sequence of a missed penalty followed by a try followed for a third time when Saracens advanced down the right and Goode went under the posts. He converted to edge his side in front.

The visitors pressed again and went further clear via a simple Goode penalty. He was later narrowly wide with a long-range effort from out on the right. Sarries continued to dominate, but could not turn pressure into points as Jackson's 35-metre drop-goal struck the upright.

However, Barritt made the game safe when he finished off substitute Jacques Burger's break down the right. Goode converted. Sale desperately searched for a losing bonus point late on but, like their opponents earlier in the half, could not make the territory tell.

Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter, critical of several refereeing displays earlier this season, praised referee Tim Wigglesworth for allowing the game to flow. "The referees have made a big difference to what's happening out there today," he said. "The game had a lot of flow to it and I think it must have been a good game for people to watch, a beautiful evening in Manchester and a lot of good running rugby.

"We played some good rugby in the first half but didn't get the rewards and missed a couple of kicks at goal, but really stepped it up in the second half and I thought we were really good in the second half," Venter added.

Sale director of rugby Kingsley Jones did his best to stay positive, but admitted the visitors' strength in depth told. "When you play against a side as good as Saracens are - a squad I should say - losing their half-backs and bringing on probably better half-backs is a measure of where Saracens are," he said. "I thought for 40 minutes we were good, we were good in patches in the second half, but against a side of that quality you cannot make a mistake at that high level.

Link

**dudeabides** · 04-10-2010, 06:19 PM

Harlequins v Leeds:

Quote:

Harlequins powered to a 46-11 victory over Leeds at The Stoop on Saturday to increase the pressure on the Premiership strugglers.

Fullback Mike Brown scored twice for Quins, who are unbeaten at home since September, while wingers Tom Williams and David Strettle, centre George Lowe and replacement hooker Chris Brooker also touched down. Former All Black Nick Evans added 14 points, with two penalties and four conversions, with his replacement Rory Clegg converting the final try. Leeds replied with two penalties from fly-half Ceiron Thomas and a last-minute consolation try from No.8 Alfie To'oala.

Evans kicked Quins ahead in the seventh minute with a 40-metre penalty after Leeds were brought back for a late challenge on home full-back Mike Brown after he fielded a kick. Six minutes later the opportunist thinking of Evans created the first try. Taking a quick lineout, the Kiwi fly-half found full-back Mike Brown who scythed through the middle, drawing the defence before throwing a long pass which sent winger Williams in unchallenged at the corner. Evans added the extras and quickly followed that up with another penalty to make it 13 unanswered points for the hosts.

Leeds opened their account with a penalty from Thomas three minutes later after a Quins scrum infringement but Harlequins remained dominant throughout and they strengthened their grip on the game with a try on 52 minutes. It started with Easter swooping to pick up a loose ball following a ruck to find Evans and ended with Brown picking up and forcing his way over after Strettle was stopped just short of the line by Hinton. T

homas landed his second penalty for Leeds in the 60th minute but their hopes of salvaging anything from the match were ended a minute later when lock Calum Clark was yellow-carded for a wickedly late challenge on Evans after he had kicked clear.

Harlequins immediately cashed in on their numerical superiority with four tries in the space of nine minutes. Evans and Strettle combined to send young centre George Lowe in after 63 minutes and three minutes later the depleted Leeds pack proved no match for a huge 25-metre forward drive which took Brooker over for the bonus-point try.

Leeds struck again with Brown's second try in the 69th minute. Williams had his shirt tugged by Hinton as he chased his own kick but Brown won the chase to get a hand on the loose ball. Three minutes later Strettle showed his pace, outstripping the Leeds defence on a run from halfway, for their sixth try, and To'oala's reply a minute from time proved inconsequential.

London Irish v Worcester:

Quote:

Elsewhere, London Irish bounced back to winning ways with a 23-13 victory over basement side Worcester Warriors at Sixways.

England international brothers Delon and Steffon Armitage scored Irish's tries, with fly-half Chris Malone adding 13 points from the boot, while Worcester posted an early Alex Grove touchdown that was converted by Willie Walker, who also kicked two penalties.

The Warriors had started brightly and opened the scoring after 14 minutes when the visitors failed to deal with a speculative defensive clearance by full-back Chris Latham, allowing Dale Rasmussen to hack the ball into the path of midfield partner Grove, who collected before sprinting over unopposed. Walker added the conversion, before Irish quickly found themselves under further pressure as Worcester's forwards displayed a ravenous appetite for the occasion.

Despite Walker booting a penalty though, cancelling out a Malone strike, Irish weathered the storm before stunning Worcester with a 14-point blitz in five minutes just before half-time.

Warriors wing Marcel Garvey was penalised for not releasing possession near his own line and, before Worcester's defence could regroup, Malone's clever cross-kick was caught by Delon Armitage, who easily finished off. Malone's conversion tied the game, but Irish were not finished and good close-quarter work by their pack enabled Steffon Armitage to rumble over and give his team the lead for the first time.

Another successful Malone conversion ended the first half, enabling Irish to troop off 17-10 in front and leaving Worcester wondering where it had gone wrong after they dominated most of the opening period.

Worcester knew they needed to disrupt Irish's rhythm, and a 45th-minute Walker penalty narrowed the gap but Malone quickly re-established a seven-point lead with a successful kick of his own, and there were ominous signs for Worcester when they gifted him another chance after the front row infringed at a scrum.

It meant Irish led by 10 points with only 15 minutes remaining, and Worcester's loss of composure was underlined when Matthew Jones - on as a replacement for Walker - missed an easy penalty chance.And that was the closest Worcester got to even claiming a losing bonus point as their six-season stay in English rugby's top flight remains under huge threat.

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The table shows these teams at the top:

1. Leicester 63 pts.
2. Northampton 60 pts.
3. Saracens 56 pts.
4. London Irish 52 pts.

The Wasps are 3 pts. behind the Irish.

**dudeabides** · 04-17-2010, 02:44 PM

Worcester v London Wasps in today's match:

Quote:

Wasps heaped further relegation woe on Worcester with a narrow 24-20 victory in their Guinness Premiership clash at Sixways Stadium.

The result leaves the Warriors two points adrift of Leeds at the basement with just two games left and defeat against their fellow strugglers next weekend could see the end of their six--year stint in English rugby's top flight. In contrast, victory for Wasps took them into fourth above London Irish, who host Leeds tomorrow.

The visitors were made to scrap in the sunshine after two Dominic Waldouck tries and a Tom Rees touchdown put them 21-3 up midway through the first half. Worcester, belying their rock-bottom status, displayed admirable character to fight back through tries from skipper Pat Sanderson and substitute centre Alex Grove, while fly-half Willie Walker booted 10 points. At one stage, Wasps looked as though they could score at ease, but they ended a fast and furious contest hanging on, such was the ferocity of Worcester's recovery act with three conversions and a penalty from the boot of Danny Cipriani proving the difference between the sides.

Worcester, with the clock ticking on their Premiership future, were reinforced by centre Sam Tuitupou and No.8 Netani Talei making timely returns from injury. But they met an in-form Wasps side strengthened through England forwards Rees and Simon Shaw both starting after being on replacement duty against European Challenge Cup quarter-final opponents Gloucester last weekend. There were still six internationals among the Wasps substitutes though, including England's 2007 World Cup captain Phil Vickery, who last played in October before he was sidelined by a neck injury that required surgery.

And it took Wasps just three minutes to open their account after a crisp counter-attack ended with England summer tour hopeful Waldouck powering over for a try that Cipriani converted. Worcester could hardly have made a worse start, and there were further worrying signs when Shaw and number eight Dan Ward-Smith both made strong runs without the hint of a tackle being made.

Worcester, driven by Tuitupou's direct running, briefly rallied through a Walker penalty after wing Chris Pennell missed a long-range strike, but Wasps soon posted their second try. Cipriani's eagerness to move possession at every opportunity brought its reward after 19 minutes when he found Waldouck 30 metres out, and the centre weaved his way.

And the opening quarter had barely elapsed when Waldouck was at it again, this time playing the role of creator as another jinking run ended with a supporting Rees taking his scoring pass. Cipriani effortlessly converted from the touchline, and Worcester were in danger of being obliterated as Wasps' scintillating attacking rugby matched the glorious West Midlands weather.

Waldouck, who took a knock to his left ankle in scoring his first try, limped off 13 minutes before half-time, and Worcester immediately hit back when Sanderson was driven over from a close-range lineout. Walker's conversion brought it back to 21-10, yet Wasps should have collected a fourth try when lock George Skivington found an unmarked Tom Varndell. Skivington's pass though, was two metres forward.

A second Walker penalty then left Worcester just eight points adrift, and they ended a rollercoaster first-half camped on Wasps' line in pursuit of another score. A Cipriani penalty opened Wasps' account in the second period, but Worcester refused to roll over, not even when Sanderson was forced off clutching his ribs.

Vickery and his fellow England forward Joe Worsley were summoned from the bench to galvanise Wasps' effort, but Worcester slashed the deficit to just four points, courtesy of Grove's breakaway effort and a Walker conversion. Wasps, having strolled through the first-half in complete control, now found themselves hanging on as Warriors sensed an astonishing victory.

The Londoners were at sixes and sevens in their frantic attempts to close the game out, and referee Dean Richards' final whistle arrived right on cue.

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