Michael Claasens scored two tries as Bath climbed back to the top of the Guinness Premiership table with a 25-14 win over Northampton on Saturday. Here is a review of all the weekends action.
Nick Evans produced more last-gasp heroics as Harlequins snatched a 26-26 draw with Leicester in front of a record Guinness Premiership crowd at Twickenham.
Sporting Life reports that a fortnight ago, Evans’ successful drop-goal with the final kick of the game had sealed Harlequins a famous Heineken Cup victory over Stade Francais.
Tonight, the former New Zealand fly-half sent Ugo Monye in for a last-minute try before landing a touchline conversion to complete a stunning Harlequins comeback.
With five minutes remaining the Londoners had been 10 points adrift.
But Leicester flanker Lewis Moody was sin-binned as Quins mounted a late rally and Evans took full advantage to send the 50,000 crowd home in festive spirits.
Bath climbed back to the top of the table with a 25-14 win over Northampton which was less convincing than the scoreline suggests.
Saints enjoyed plenty of possession but did not possess a cutting edge sharp enough to open up the home defence until the final minute when lock Juandre Kruger crossed in the corner.
However, it was another South African, Bath scrum-half Michael Claasens, who was man-of-the-match, scoring two tries and relishing the physical contest around the breakdown.
London Irish slipped to a first defeat in 11 league and cup matches as Saracens reignited their season with a 16-13 win in front of a huge holiday crowd of over 16,000 at Vicarage Road.
The Exiles, who last ended up on the wrong end of a scoreline against Bath in September, produced a lacklustre performance after their impressive victory over Gloucester last week as Saracens triumphed after a scrappy affair boasting just one try each – both scored in the first half.
Gloucester carved out a bonus point, 29-10 victory over relegation favourites Bristol to keep themselves firmly in play-off contention.
England internationals Olly Morgan and Mike Tindall scored tries in each half to put Gloucester in charge.
And Tindall’s second touchdown secured a five-point maximum after Gloucester wing Lesley Vainikolo also breached Bristol’s defence.Worcester came from behind to grab a 16-16 draw away to Newcastle at Kingston Park after the Falcons had enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but failed to make it count.
The hosts had opened up a 13-3 lead early in the first half on the back a converted Phil Dowson try and a pair of Rory Clegg penalties.
But the Warriors slowly fought their way back into the game and eventually grabbed a share of the spoils when Pat Sanderson crossed, and Eoghan Hickey converted, 11 minutes from full-time.Captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe scored two tries as Sale beat London Wasps 31-3 at Edgeley Park.
The Argentinian back-rower crossed twice as the Sharks chalked up four tries and England duo Mark Cueto and Charlie Hodgson also touched down as Wasps could only muster a solitary Dave Walder penalty.
The Sharks were in predatory form, twice pouncing on Wasps errors to erase memories of their last-gasp defeat to Bath last weekend and get their Guinness Premiership title hopes firmly back on track.
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Some of the guys not making their pics while on vacation has certainly opened the Superbru competition up.
The first 5 players are covered by a less than two point spread.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) : Shhh. Don’t tell them.
I’ve finally managed to crack the top ten.
And there are only about 15 in our pool.
Quins reckon that next xmas they can get 82,000 for this match.
That 50,000 smashed the previous record for a regular GP match. The record was about 26,000.
@McLovin (Comment 2) :
my records tell me that your current position of 7th IS your higest position but you have been in the top ten before.
Check your rac…..yahoo.co….. email for an up to date *.XLS spread sheet.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 5) : Thanks, will go and have a look.
Dropped from 3rd to 8th in the last round – forgot to make my picks again…
No chance of that happening this weekend – because…I’ve just made my picks…
Good to see that we have a fellow Bath supporter at the summit…
I see I’m sixth now.
Not complaining. Slow & steady wins it.
I don’t know anything about European rugby and therefor do not take place therein…
@Hmmm (Comment 9) : Didnt know much as well but im learning.
Still 42 sleeps until the S14 starts.
@McLovin (Comment 11) : better get the fantasy league ready
@robdylan (Comment 12) : You’d better.
Going through the fixture list at the mo and even with some very optimistic predictions the Stormers might still not make the semi’s.
Sharks should definitly make the semi’s and not just saying that cause this is a Sharks site. They’re even looking good for a home semi.
Bulls could sneak a semi but will probably be an away match. Won’t be throwing any bets their way just yet.
Lions & Cheetahs. Why bother. They’ll be nowhere.
So worst case scenario. Only Sharks in semi’s.
Best case – Sharks home semi & Stormers also in semi (one can dream).
@McLovin (Comment 18) : sounds like you want to write a predictions piece…
@robdylan (Comment 19) : I’ll thinks about it.
@McLovin (Comment 20) : excellent
@robdylan (Comment 12) : You’re doing the S14 FL ???