World in Union: Review of Aviva Premiership Round 8

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ROUND 8

Harlequins maintained a 100% record in Aviva Premiership Rugby to take them into European competition in top form and sitting pretty at the top of the table. Saracens continue to apply the pressure in second place, while Gloucester and Irish have both moved up the table after impressive displays away from home.

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On Friday night Newcastle Falcons snatched a dramatic draw in their Aviva Premiership Rugby battle with Worcester Warriors at Kingston Park. The Falcons were trailing 16-9 with three minutes to go and looking to have been defeated by the Warriors when suddenly the Newcastle pack found another gear and drove Mike Mayhew over for a try which Jimmy Gopperth converted to level the score. Final score: Newcastle Falcons 16, Worcester Warriros 16.

On Saturday Harlequins maintained their winning ways as tries from Chris Robshaw and Mike Brown helped them to victory at Bath’s Recreation Ground. The league leaders, who now have a 100% record after eight games, made a slow start but eventually assumed control of the contest as they gained the upper-hand at the scrum, line-out and breakdown. Final score: Bath Rugby 13, Harlequins 26.

Over at Sandy Park, Gloucester Rugby claimed their first away win since February after running in three tries over Exeter Chiefs. Fly-half Freddie Burns grabbed an early try and kicked nine more points, while Akapusi Qera and Olly Morgan also crossed the try-line for the visitors. Despite scoring tries through Hoani Tui and Matt Jess it wasn’t to be Exeter’s match. Final score: Exeter Chiefs 19, Gloucester Rugby 24.

At Welford Road, London Irish produced a stunning fightback to grab a dramatic draw against Leicester Tigers. From a seemingly hopeless position at 24-7 inside the final 20 minutes, the Exiles dug deep to claw back the deficit. Tries came from Horacio Agulla for the Tigers and Shontayne Hape, Adam Thompstone and Matt Garvey. Final score: Leicester Tigers 24, London Irish 24.

On Sunday at Adams Park prop forwards Soane Tong’uiha and Brian Mujati scored the tries which powered Northampton Saints to their fifth successive victory at Wasps. England centre Riki Flutey and lock Ross Filipo scored for the hosts, but with fly half Ryan Lamb kicking 14 points for Saints it was the visitors who stretched their recent run to three wins in Aviva Premiership Rugby. Final score: London Wasps 13, Northampton Saints 24.

At Vicarage Road Saracens kept up the pressure on Aviva Premiership Rugby table-toppers Harlequins with a comfortable win at home to Sale Sharks. David Strettle and Matt Stevens chalked up two converted tries for the hosts while Owen Farrell kicked three penalties on top. Sale scored two second half tries courtesy of Rob Miller and Mark Easter but the match always belonged to the home side. Final score: Saracens 23, Sale Sharks 10.