World in Union: Aviva Premiership Review, Round 5

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Round 5 of Aviva Premiership Rugby saw most clubs take full advantage of a sunny October weekend to run in a hatful of tries, with a total of 25 amassed over the weekend. Harlequins were at the top of that list with 6, and remain at the top of the tree after running in 48 points against Sale Sharks before having to hold on after a valiant fightback from the Sharks. Newcastle Falcons also posted their first victory, which wasn't enough to move them from the foot of the table, although importantly it is enough to keep them in touch with the other clubs suffering from early season poor form.

On Friday night at Sixways, Andy Goode scored all Worcester Warriors' points from the boot with four penalties as they ended a run of three Aviva Premiership Rugby defeats and extended Northampton Saints’ winless sequence to four games. In reply, the Saints could only muster a single penalty courtesy of Stephen Myler. Final score: Worcester Warriors 12, Northampton Saints 3.

On Saturday, Gloucester extended their unbeaten Aviva Premiership Rugby home record to 22 games as a penalty from replacement Freddie Burns saw them edge a thrilling try-filled encounter at Kingsholm over London Irish. Tries came for Gloucester from Tom Voyce and Darren Dawidiuk as well as a penalty try, and for London Irish from Alex Gray, Topsy Ojo and Steven Shingler. Final score: Gloucester Rugby 33, London Irish 30.

Over at Sandy Park, reigning Aviva Premiership Champions Saracens made it four wins out of five this season and maintained their unbeaten run away from Vicarage Road. Tries came from Rob Baxter for Exeter Chiefs and from Owen Farrell and Charlie Hodgson from Saracens. Exeter never gave up and kept battling until the final whistle on a quest for a losing bonus point. Final score: Exeter Chiefs 13, Saracens 17.

Jeremy Staunton scored all 25 points for Leicester Tigers against Bath Rugby at a sun-baked Recreation Ground on Saturday but still finished on the losing side. The Irishman put in a sterling performance throughout the game, but at the death, given a 45-metre penalty to win the game with the clock at zero, he pushed the ball wide, his only kicking failure all afternoon. Bath were on fine form with tries from Dave Attwood and Matt Carraro and an impressive kicking display from Sam Vesty and Tom Heathcote. Final score: Bath Rugby 26, Leicester Tigers 25.

At the Stoop Nick Evans inspired Harlequins to maintain their 100% Aviva Premiership Rugby record by scoring 20 points in a bonus-point romp, keeping them at the top of the Aviva Premiership Rugby table. In a remarkable fightback however, Sale came back to collect two points as their hosts switched off following a 10-minute injury break. George Lowe, Ollie Kohn, Mark Lambert, and Nick Evans all scored tries for Harlequins with Mike Brown running in two, Sale Sharks replied with tries from Dwayne Peel, Vadim Cobilas, Tom Brady and Joaquin Tuculet and two from Rob Miller. Final score: Harlequins 48, Sale Sharks 41.

On Sunday at Kingston Park, after 11 consecutive Aviva Premiership Rugby defeats, Newcastle finally lifted the gloom with a hard-earned win over London Wasps. Fly-half Jimmy Gopperth was successful with all five of his penalty attempts to boot the Tynesiders to victory. Wasps’ Christian Wade scored the game’s only try but his side were unable to build on it as a spirited Falcons defence stood firm. Final score: Newcastle Falcons 15, London Wasps 10.