Poor weather conditions at the weekend meant that it was teams who could hold their nerve that generally came out on top in Round 16 of Aviva Premiership Rugby. A fourth straight league win for Gloucester Rugby means they retain their place in the top four behind leaders Leicester Tigers and second placed Saracens; fourth place is now taken by Bath Rugby thanks to a run of five successive league wins, while Northampton Saint's poor run of form means they slip out of the semi-final spots.
On Friday night at Edgeley Park, Jeremy Staunton kicked all of the away side's points as Aviva Premiership Rugby table toppers Leicester Tigers secured their ninth successive Aviva Premiership Rugby victory and maintain their position at the top. Fly-half Staunton landed an impressive six penalties to Charlie Hodgson’s two, but it was the home side that claimed the only try of the match in the 50th minute when Hodgson’s long pass sent centre Chris Bell over. Final score: Sale Sharks 16, Leicester Tigers 18.
On Saturday it was an early May day for Gloucester Rugby at Franklin’s Gardens. Winger Jonny May grabbed two tries to inspire Gloucester to their fourth straight Aviva Premiership Rugby victory. Nicky Robinson kicked two penalties and a conversion to help secure the tight win which consigned Northampton Saints to their fifth league loss in succession and a slip from fourth to fifth place in the table. Final score: Northampton Saints 16, Gloucester Rugby 18.
At Sandy Park on Saturday Bath stretched their unbeaten run in Aviva Premiership Rugby to five matches with a narrow victory over Exeter Chiefs. Gareth Steenson slotted over three crucial penalties for the Chiefs but it was the boot of Olly Barkley, kicking four penalties for Bath that sealed the win and a move up the table from sixth to fourth place. Final score: Exeter Chiefs 9, Bath Rugby 12.
Meanwhile another tense game was taking place over at the Madejski Stadium with London Irish coming out on top against London rivals Harlequins in a battle of the boot. Chris Malone kicked four penalties and Tom Homer one for London Irish while Rory Clegg landed three for Harlequins, who have won 10 out of their 11 previous matches. The win means London Irish move up from seventh to sixth position in the Aviva Premiership Rugby table, and Harlequins drop from fifth to seventh. Final score: London Irish 15, Harlequins 9.
On Sunday, Saracens secured their first ever victory at Adams Park against fellow London side London Wasps who had three players sin-binned. Alex Goode kicked a total of seven penalties to Dave Walder’s four, and coupled with a try from Andy Saull after four minutes, meant a valuable away win for the North London side. Final score: London Wasps 15, Saracens 26.
At Headingley Carnegie on Sunday Newcastle Falcons took a giant step towards Aviva Premiership Rugby safety with a crucial away win over Leeds Carnegie. Leeds are now seven points adrift of their northern rivals with eight games still to play, including a return match at Kingston Park in April, yet the Falcons delivered a heavy psychological blow with this comprehensive victory. Ally Hogg ran in an eighth-minute try, Jimmy Gopperth’s boot added 12 points before Jeremy Manning crossed to seal the win, after Scott Freer had given Leeds Carnegie a glimmer of hope with a try. Final score: Leeds Carnegie 5, Newcastle Falcons 22.
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