ROUND 17
Aviva Premiership Rugby Round 17 threw up some unexpected results as Leicester Tigers were beaten at home for the first time in the league this season and Newcastle Falcons and Leeds Carnegie both won comfortably to keep their survival hopes alive.
Probably the most impressive result of the weekend was Exeter Chief’s win against Northampton Saints, as the pre- season favourites for relegation came from behind to beat the early season pace-setters. It’s been a tough few weeks for the Saints, while things couldn’t be looking better for the boys in Devon.
On Friday night at Kingston Park Newcastle Falcons ran in three second-half tries to defeat Harlequins and take a big step towards Aviva Premiership Rugby safety. Quins were in the lead after just three minutes with a try from Tom Williams in the corner but this was followed by tries in the second half by Alex Gray, Luke Fielden and Micky Young for Newcastle Falcons and along with some excellent kicking by Jimmy Gopperth, a second Harlequins try by Mike Brown couldn’t stop a welcome victory for the home side. Final score: Newcastle Falcons 33, Harlequins 18.
On Saturday Gloucester Rugby completed a season’s double over fierce local rivals Bath Rugby at Kingsholm to underline their credentials as genuine Aviva Premiership Rugby title challengers. A ninth successive win in all competitions – Gloucester’s longest unbeaten run since 2002 – was secured by tries from England prop Paul Doran-Jones, centre Henry Trinder and wing Tom Voyce’s double. Fly-half Nicky Robinson added four penalties and a conversion, while Matt Banahan, Tom Biggs and Ben Williams scored for Bath in only their second defeat from their last 10 starts. Final score: Gloucester Rugby 34, Bath Rugby 22.
Over at Welford Road, replacement Billy Twelvetrees missed a last-gasp penalty as Saracens moved within two points of Leicester Tigers at the top of the Aviva Premiership Rugby table with a nail-biting win. An impressive try from Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi separated the sides at the break as three penalties apiece from Jeremy Staunton and Alex Goode saw the hosts hold a 14-9 interval lead. But the Tigers remained scoreless after the break and two more Goode penalties, the second just five minutes from time, saw Saracens become the first side to win at “fortress” Welford Road in the league. Final score: Leicester Tigers 14, Saracens 15.
On Sunday at Sandy Park, visitors Northampton Saints dominated the first half against Exeter Chiefs and led 9-3 at the interval. However, in the second half the Chiefs turned on the style and scored 27 unanswered points in an amazing comeback with tries from Tom Hayes, Sireli Naqelevuki and Tom Johnson, inflicting Northampton’s sixth straight Aviva Premiership Rugby defeat. Final score: Exeter Chiefs 30, Northampton Saints 9.
Leeds Carnegie revived their hopes of Aviva Premiership Rugby survival after a rousing fightback saw them dent London Irish’s top four chances at Headingley Carnegie. Irish led 16-3 after 32 minutes courtesy of an outstanding try from centre Seilala Mapusua, a penalty from Chris Malone and eight further points from Ryan Lamb. But Leeds, for whom Hendre Fourie was outstanding, responded with tries from Luther Burrell, Daniel Browne and Mike MacDonald, along with some solid kicking from Adrian Jarvis, to turn the game on its head. Final score: Leeds Carnegie 27, London Irish 19.
Over at Adams Park, Dave Walder’s boot raised London Wasps’ top four hopes with a win over Sale Sharks. Fly-half Walder kicked 23 of their points landing six penalties, a conversion and a drop goal. Tries for Wasps came from Riki Flutey and Joe Simpson and for Sale Sharks from Ben Cohen and Wame Lewaravu supported by kicking duties from Charlie Hodgson. Final score: London Wasps 33, Sale Sharks 26.
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