As the end of the season draws nearer, the Six Nations dominates the Gallagher Premiership. The playoff picture heats up and the Six Nations is overshadowed. The Saracens have established themselves as a class by themselves, and Sale is now in an intense six-team race for the final two spots. The Premiership was granted a week of free play in the Six Nations, which allowed them to briefly steal the spotlight. We were pleasantly surprised with some unexpected results and drama. Many of Steve Borthwick’s ex-England players took to the field along with some who were edging their way back into fitness, creating an interesting subplot throughout the weekend. England’s loss to Scotland and their solid win against Italy would have motivated many players who are still out in the cold.
The weekend began at Kingsholm where Harlequins beat Gloucester in a high-tempo, thrilling encounter. After James Chisholm was given a yellow card, the match saw Danny Care becoming Harlequins’ all-time leading appearancemaker. However, Gloucester dominated the match and Seb Blake came in from the maul to win. After Andre Esterhuisen had lent his considerable weight, Quins regrouped and hit back with their own maul. Tom Lawday stepped up to take the win for Quins. After Ollie Thorley’s attempt, Gloucester regained the lead. Thorley rose superbly to take Santiago Carreras’s precise crossfield kick. After a difficult first half, Gloucester led 14-7 despite Quins having significant spells of possession at the Gloucester 22.
Quins displayed greater accuracy in the second period, with Cadan Murley attempting to score their second try after being fed Nick David. After a fierce surge from Louis Reesz-Zammit down the touchline, Gloucester nearly edged ahead, but Tommy Allan’s superb last-ditch tackle denied the winger. Quins quickly took the lead, with replacement Sam Riley falling over after a flowing Quins move that included an amazing offload from Esterhuisen of his bootlaces. After a ferocious beak from Jack Clement, Gloucester roared back and Carreras rushed over. Rees-Zammit smashed onto Carreras’s impressive inside ball to secure the bonus point, and Gloucester won the bonus point just minutes later. Quins fought until the end and Matas Jurevicius’s attempt at the death earned them two bonus points. They move up to fourth with Gloucester’s win, while Quins will have minor concerns after their fifth consecutive league loss.Bristol’s game management was a major factor in the victory over Newcastle at Ashton Gate on Friday. Steve Borthwick was reminded of Harry Randall’s talents by him scoring two tries and causing many problems with his box-kicking. Newcastle will regret not taking their chances in halftime. Gary Graham was denied his second try after Fitz Harding’s superb tackle. Randall made a great run for Bristol in the second period, before Jamie Blamire blasted his way over to give visitors a glimmer hope. It wasn’t to happen. The excellent Fitz Harding gave Bristol a bonus point, with the clock ticking down after the Falcons tried to play from their own lines.
Bath 10 vs 25 London Irish
London Irish inflicted more misery on Premiership’s bottom club, Bath, while strengthening their playoff hopes with a win against the Rec. Although Bath won the first half, they failed to make the 22 entries for Irish. Their only try came through Josh Bayliss, who had been sin-binned by Rob Simmons. Irish responded quickly with Tom Pearson’s half-break and deft offload that allowed Paddy Jackson to join Tom Stokes, with the former diving over to score the try. Just before halftime, Scotland scrum-half Ben White ran over to give Irish the lead. They were penalized for two yellow cards for their ineptness in the second period. Irish took control of the game. Despite some strong Bath defence, Paddy Jackson’s kick and Janse van Rensburg’s try helped the visitors to a comfortable win.
Sale traveled to Northampton with the support of several England players. Borthwick released Jonny Hill, Manu Tuilagi, and Tom Curry made his injury-recovery return. Tuilagi, however, was perhaps too eager to make his mark and was sent off after catching Fraser Dingwall with his elbow while he was carrying the ball. After Aaron Reed, winger, grabbed Rob Du Preez’s grubber kick, Sale took an early lead. However they were forced to play 65 minutes with 14 men against the Premiership’s top try scorers. The visitors were not perturbed, however, and extended their lead with tries by Curry and Du Preez, as the hosts struggled with their physicality. Tom James’s attempt got the hosts on board, but Ewan Ashleyman’s try just before halftime gave Sale a commanding 24-7 advantage.
Du Preez extended their lead with a penalty after restart. But Cobus Weise’s yellow for a high tackle gave the hosts hope. Northampton took advantage of Sale’s advantage by Tommy Freeman, an impressive winger, going over off the backside of a line out. The winger then turned provider, allowing Matt Proctor to go over. Sale’s maul gave Sale a 15-point buffer. Sam Dugdale then burrowed over, reversing the momentum. Sale was then down to thirteen. Ashman was charged with illegally stopping Saints mauls, and referee Ian Tempest awarded a penalty to make it a double-whammy. Sale’s Premiership debutant George Ford was a substitute. However, the Saints were not denied his game management skills. Callum Braley’s attempt brought them within one point. Saints won the game with just minutes remaining, Fraser Dingwall scoring a crucial try. After fighting hard throughout the game, despite having a man disadvantage, it was a bitter pill that Sale had to swallow.
The league’s leaders, Saracens, faced Leicester in the final game. The Tigers came out of the blocks fastest, Jasper Weise’s brilliant break breaking open the Saracens’ defense, allowing Handre Pollard to run over. On his Premiership return, Mike Brown produced a brilliant performance, and it was his slippery break that ultimately led to Cameron Henderson being thrown over for Leicester’s second attempt. After some clever hands from Chris Ashton and Jimmy Gopperth, Brown turned from provider to finisher. Ashton nearly went over shortly afterwards, but was denied by Alex Lewington’s excellent cover tackle. Sarries had a glimmer hope when Eroni Mawi, a Fijian prop, bundled over before halftime. The hosts were leading 24-10.
Saracens had been blown away by Leicester’s intensity in the first half. But, the second half was all about determined defence as Saracens pulled themselves back into the game. Alex Goode reduced the deficit with a penalty, but Alex Lewington seized on to a loose pass and scored. Sarries were within a converted score. As Sarries threw everything at them in the final stages, Leicester held on. The Tigers’ defense was strong and they kept the visitors away. They spent many hours camped at Leicester’s 22 for long periods. Richard Wigglesworth was rewarded with his second league victory since taking over Leicester. Weise, Leicester’s number 8, was outstanding, putting in a tremendous effort, making 25 carries, and 16 tackles.
Despite their defeat, Saracens remain at the top, and they and Sale, despite being defeated, have underlined their status as Premiership’s best sides. Despite losing several key players, Saracens displayed their character to almost make a stunning comeback. Despite having to play almost the entire match with 14 men, Sale almost won. Steve Borthwick would be pleased with the performances by Tommy Freeman and Tom Curry, but Curry looked particularly sharp despite being absent for a while. Although the Premiership will be relegated to the back burner next week with the Six Nations, this weekend showed the league’s depth and quality.
World News2 years ago
World News2 years ago
World News2 years ago
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