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Aviva Premiership Review
Player of the Weekend – George Smith – A timeless performance at the weekend with Smith simply running the show to help Wasps to the win. A few players were in line for this but the Australian 7 was mighty impressive.
Team of the weekend – Wasps – To win away at Franklins Gardens like they did with players missing was a statement of intent from Wasps, maybe even title contenders if you really fancied an outside shot.
Northampton 11 – Wasps 24
Wasps pulled off an emphatic victory at Franklins Gardens on Friday night after not winning at Franklins Gardens for the last ten years. Tries from Robson, Miller and Bassett put Wasps 24-3 up at half time, but Sam Dickinson scored in the second half with one more Myler penalty to make it 24-11. Northampton were painfully slow out of the blocks, and their indifferent form continues. Wasps, however, have brought their European form into the Premiership and will look to kick on now.
Saracens 19 – Bath 13
Bath went in at Allianz Park 13-0 up after Rhys Priestland penalties and a Tom Homer try. They were playing Saracens at their own game and doing it well. However Saracens scored 19 unanswered points in the second half through a Brits try and from the boot of Charlie Hodgson. Hodgson was consistently battered at ten but his boot was magical at the weekend. Saracens are surely favourites for the top spot and Bath’s problems continue. They showed promising signs but we have been saying that for a few weeks now, they need results and to stop hanging onto last season’s success.
Newcastle 26 – Harlequins 19
Newcastle made the relegation fight an interesting one after a brilliant win over Harlequins with the ever green Andy Goode helping them along the way. Falcons went 10-0 up after a Latu try and a Willis penalty, Harlequins then scored three tries in 8 minutes either side of half time through Charlie Walker (2) and Dave Ward. Larger than life Goode then levelled the scores at 19-19 before Rob Vickers scored a last gasp converted try to make it 26-19. Harlequins will be kicking themselves as their poor discipline cost them, but Newcastle will be delighted and they will now worry Worcester who are now only 5 points from London Irish in bottom.
Sale 38 – London Irish 10
Brian Mujati and TJ Iaone tries put Sale 12-10 up at half time after a penalty try for Irish. However four unanswered tries from James, Edwards (2) and Sam Tuitupou in the second half made it a convincing win. Sale are in impressive form at home and need to improve their away form but they sit comfortably in mid table. London Irish are bottom and struggling, they face a huge game at Worcester next week and it is a must win for them. Tom Coventry is running out of excuses and the team need results and most of the rugby watching public would agree London Irish are not a Championship standard side.
Gloucester 18 – Leicester 19
Gloucester tries came from James Hook and Ben Morgan put Gloucester 12-7 up at half time after an Ayerza try in reply for Leicester. Veainu and Mulipola scored late in the second half for Leicester to steal the win for them. James Hook scored a 13 point haul but it was not enough for the Cherry and Whites as they threw this game away and couldn’t take advantage of their territorial domination, they also seem to kick the ball too much. Leicester go marching on and this will not harm their play-off chances whatsoever, this late win was a hint of the Leicester of old.
Worcester 15 – Exeter Chiefs 30
Whitten and Short tries and four Heathcote penalties in reply made it 12-12 at half time at Sixways. Three more from Heathcote in the second half and Waldrom and Armand tries secured the bonus point for the Chiefs. It could have been so much more as the error count was uncharacteristically high. Worcester are good enough to stay up but they need more diversity in attack as they were relatively ineffective going forward.
By Jack Pitt
