Week 5 is in the bag and while there were surprises at the top, at the bottom it is already starting to take shape.
Here is the wrap of the week’s action:
Newcastle 29-17 London Irish
Newcastle moved top of the premiership for the first time since 2004 with this bonus-point victory over Irish.
Irish started strongly, forgetting their previous three straight defeats and fullback Tommy Bell kicked a third-minute penalty. Unfortunately that was their final points until the last 15 minutes of the game.
Juan Pablo Socino and a Vereniki Goneva double, along with a Tane Takalua penalty gave the hosts a 24-3 lead at halftime. Will Welch scored the vital fourth try on the hour mark, being the beneficiary of a good driving maul that saw the Falcons reach the summit.
Irish never gave up to their credit and had the final say as Conor Gilsenan and Tom Fowlie came off the replacements bench to dot down but this was Newcastle’s night to celebrate a great achievement.
Worcester 3-25 Saracens
The Warriors will be bemoaning their lack of cutting edge. They were the better side on the night but didn’t have that final bit of quality to penetrate the Black Wall of the Sarries’ defence.
It started well for the European Champions as winger Chris Wyles was the recipient of a great pass from Alex Goode to run in unopposed, Alex Lozowski converted, and then added two further penalties. The Warriors only response was a penalty from Jamie Shillock ten minutes before the break.
In the second half, after a very tepid start, the difference in squad depth became apparent as Mako Vunipola and Richard Wigglesworth came off the bench. Duncan Taylor made a clean break and Goode was in support to score. Owen Farrell was then also brought off the bench and he converted Wyles’ second try of the game on 76 minutes as Sarries won at about 80 per cent.
Sale 57-10 Gloucester
Sale ran rampant against Gloucester at the AJ Bell Stadium – eight tries and seven conversions giving the locals a lot to cheer.
Denny Solomona opened the scoring in the first minute and Byron McGuigan added a second 15 minutes later. Billy Burns had a penalty sandwiched between the two tries but despite dominating possession McGuigan scored Sale’s third try to give them a 22-3 lead.
The misery for the cherry and whites didn’t end there, as the Sharks ramped it up in the second half and Faf De Klerk crossed on 48 minutes. Solomona then added his second three minutes later, before new signing James O’Connor marked his debut with a try.
There was still time for Sam James and McGuigan to complete his hat trick before John Afoa got the smallest of consolations for Johan Ackerman’s team.
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Leicester 20-13 Exeter
Gareth Steenson gave the Chiefs the lead with a fifth minute penalty before Julian Salvi was yellow carded for an illegal clean out at the ruck. With a man over, Matt Toomua sent a wide pass to Nick Malouf following a five-metre scrum and the winger crossed in the corner. George Ford added a drop goal to give the hosts a 10-3 lead at halftime, which he extended in the second half with a penalty before the Tigers went down to 14 when Telusa Veainu saw yellow for a deliberate knock down. A penalty try was also awarded and now it was a three-point game.
Nick Malouf then escaped punishment for an attempted trip on Olly Woodburn, this was a lucky turn up for the winger as he could have seen yellow for the second time in the game following tackling Phil Dollman in the air.
Exeter went for the line out and the win but lost possession, a few phases later, Ben Youngs sent Jonny May scampering away to score the vital try. Steenson did earn the Chiefs a bonus point but they will see this as an opportunity lost.
Northampton 30-22 Harlequins
The Saints’ revival continues. Another huge plus in the return to form of George North, the monster winger scoring eight minutes into the game, bursting through tackles and powering over. Luther Burrell then threw an interception as Aaron Morris gladly accepted the gift and gave Quins a 7-5 lead.
Northampton then threw the kitchen sink at their opposition and Tom Collins took a good inside pass from Harry Mallinder to score. Marcus Smith reduced the arrears with a penalty before a superb try from Mikey Hayward gave Northampton a seven-point lead. They couldn’t hold out until the break though, as Wales centre Jamie Roberts took advantage of a ragged defence to score.
Ahsee Tuala responed a mere three minutes into the second half as the Saints pulled clear again and Mallinder added a penalty. Hooker Dave Ward burrowed over to haul the Londoners back into it but Stephen Myler scored a late penalty to ensure the win for Northampton and deny Harlequins a bonus point.
Wasps 9-25 Bath
In a game that was bereft of quality, Wasps once again lost the physical battle, constantly throwing the ball from side to side but not making any penetrating runs.
Jimmy Gopperth and Rhys Priestland traded penalties in the first 20 minutes as neither side really threated the line. Priestland then scored a drop goal to edge Bath in front but Gopperth ensured the scores were level at organes with a thrid penalty. Priestland added his third and final penalty five minutes into the second half, which was added to by two further penalties from Freddie Burns.
Wasps tried to chase the game but really didn’t have any answer to the Bath defence and didn’t offer much to worry them. Samesa Rokodugani scored the game’s only try three minutes from time, winning the race to a chip through to put the game to bed and send a large crowd home disappointed.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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