Gallagher Premiership review: Important wins for Newcastle, Sale and Saracens
A review of this weekend's action in the Gallagher Premiership, including wins for Exeter and Sale on Saturday and Saracens on Sunday.
Saturday
- Wasps 32-28 Bristol
- Sale 18-13 Northampton
- Exeter 23-6 Gloucester
Friday
- Newcastle 16-8 Bath
- Worcester 20-13 Harlequins
Sunday
- Saracens 27-22 Leicester
Exeter stay unbeaten; Sharks off bottom
Exeter maintained their unbeaten record in the Gallagher Premiership with a comfortable 23-6 victory over Gloucester at Sandy Park.
The eagerly awaited match between first and third in the league failed to live up to its billing as Gloucester will be disappointed by their lack of accuracy, which meant the Chiefs did not have to be anywhere near their best to win.
Gloucester began brightly enough to take the lead with two penalties from Danny Cipriani but he was subsequently replaced as the visitors faded, with the home pack taking control.
Nic White and Alex Cuthbert scored tries for Exeter, with Gareth Steenson converting both and adding three penalties.
Denny Solomona touched down twice as Sale Sharks moved off the bottom of the table with a deserved 18-13 triumph over Northampton at the AJ Bell Stadium.
All the points in the first half came in the opening eight minutes, with Cobus Reinach touching down for the Saints and Solomona going over for Sale.
Rob du Preez's conversion was all that separated the teams going into the second period before the fly-half added a penalty after the break.
Ollie Sleightholme's try levelled matters but Solomona's second score and another successful Du Preez effort off the tee proved to be enough for the Sharks to take the win.
Wasps held off a Harry Thacker-inspired Bristol fightback to record a thrilling 32-28 victory at the Ricoh Arena.
Bears hooker Thacker bagged a sensational second-half hat-trick within 20 minutes to haul his side back from 32-7 down and set up a grandstand finish.
But Wasps clung on for a first win in seven games, with Gallagher Premiership debutant Ross Neal scoring a try in each half for the injury-ravaged hosts.
Falcons fight to victory
Newcastle had climbed off the bottom on Friday night with a hard-fought 16-8 victory over Bath at Kingston Park.
Falcons captain Toby Flood kicked three penalties and converted a Jonny Williams try as Newcastle edged the visitors in a tight second half to collect four precious points.
Worcester picked up four valuable points with a hard-fought 20-13 victory over Harlequins in a disappointing game at Sixways.
Worcester's tries came from Nick Schonert and Ryan Mills, with Duncan Weir converting both and kicking a penalty. Chris Pennell also added a penalty.
Joe Marchant scored an interception try for Harlequins which James Lang converted and kicked a penalty, with Marcus Smith also succeeding with a penalty.
Saracens hold off Leicester fightback
Saracens held off a stirring Leicester fightback to maintain their winning start to the Gallagher Premiership campaign, keeping pace with Exeter at the top of the table with a 27-22 success.
Tigers had made a promising start, dominating most of the first quarter, but could only put three points on the board and were undone by a three-try salvo late in the half.
Two tries from Brendon O'Connor and Matt Smith's score saw the home side cut the deficit to two points but Saracens held on for an eighth straight league victory.
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