ROUND 11
Over 146,000 people stepped through the turnstiles to watch Aviva Premiership Rugby over the Christmas weekend including the Harlequins v Saracens Big Game 4 which sold out to a capacity crowd at Twickenham Stadium, a new world record for a regular season club game.
Christmas Eve at Franklin’s Gardens saw Northampton Saints in control, courtesy of a star performance from George Pisi, that condemned Bath Rugby to their fourth consecutive defeat. Tries came from Phil Dowson, Tom Wood and Jamie Elliott for the Saints, and from Francois Louw for Bath. Final score: Northampton Saints 22, Bath Rugby 13.
On Boxing Day, Nick Macleod won the kicking battle for Sale Sharks as his side beat their northern rivals Newcastle Falcons to return to an Aviva Premiership Rugby semi-final position in fourth place and leave their opponents at the foot of the table. Sale had taken a 16-0 lead after 24 minutes through three Macleod penalties and a converted Tom Brady try, but Newcastle mounted a comeback. After Macleod and Jimmy Gopperth had traded three-pointers, substitute Jeremy Manning went over to reduce the gap to 19-10 at half-time. Gopperth continued to boot the Falcons back into the game and narrowed the gap to three points before England wing Mark Cueto touched down to seal the win for the home side. Final score: Sale Sharks 27, Newcastle Falcons 19.
Over at Kingsholm, Jonny May and Olly Morgan both scored two tries as Gloucester produced a stunning performance to demolish London Wasps. The home side thrilled a packed stadium as Wasps had no answer to the power of the Gloucester pack and the potency of their backs. Gloucester’s tries came from Luke Narraway, Jonny May, Henry Trinder and Olly Morgan, with just one Wasps try in reply courtesy of Elliot Daly. Final score: Gloucester Rugby 39, London Wasps 10.
On Tuesday London Irish finished the year third in the table in an Aviva Premiership Rugby play-off place thanks to a tough win over Exeter Chiefs at the Madejski Stadium. Centres Joe Ansbro and Shontayne Hape grabbed Irish tries, while wing Tom Homer landed 19 points with five penalties and two conversions. Exeter did manage a losing bonus point though, after full-back Luke Arscott ran in a try in the second half while fly-half Ignacio Mieres kicked five penalties and a conversion. Final score: London Irish 29, Exeter Chiefs 22.
Over at Sixways, England star Toby Flood ran the show as Leicester Tigers extended their unbeaten Aviva Premiership Rugby run to five games after brushing Worcester Warriors aside at a sold-out Sixways. The Tigers never looked back once they had built a 17-point lead early in the second quarter following tries by Flood and wing Matt Smith. Fly-half Flood added another 12 points from the boot, while Leicester and England lock Louis Deacon sealed Tigers’ victory when he rumbled over for a 60th-minute try after wing Marcel Garvey’s touchdown had briefly threatened a Worcester revival. Final score: Worcester Warriors 13, Leicester Tigers 32.
A defiant Saracens side ended Harlequins unbeaten start to their Aviva Premiership Rugby season with a ferocious defensive performance at a sold-out Twickenham. Owen Farrell kicked 14 points and David Strettle scored against his old club as Saracens raced into a 19-3 lead after just 24 minutes. Harlequins attempted a comeback and prop Joe Marler, whose pass had earlier been intercepted by Strettle, scored in a dominant second-half performance from the hosts. Saracens did not score another point but defended resolutely to seal the victory in front of a record crowd who were kept entertained for the full 80 minutes. Saracens win closed the gap with the league leaders to five points. Final score: Harlequins 11, Saracens 19.
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