Gallagher Premiership 2018 Review: Round 7
Rob Baxter's Exeter left it late to defeat Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate
©PA
After three weeks without any top flight domestic rugby in England, the Gallagher Premiership returned at the weekend and it did so in style. Joe Harvey rounds-up the action for TRU.
Friday
Gloucester Rugby 36 – 13 Leicester Tigers
The Gallagher Premiership was back and once again the Friday night lights did not disappoint. Gloucester convincingly beat a Leicester Tigers team depleted of their international stars. Danny Cipriani and Joe Ford exchanged a penalty a piece in the opening 10 minutes, but the first try was scored by Jason Woodward on the 15- minute mark, converted by Cipriani.
Matt Banahan was the next to go over the whitewash, shortly after another Joe Ford penalty, however Cipriani couldn’t convert this time. Gloucester finished the half strongly as a try from Fraser Balmain was converted by Cipriani yet again, just prior to the half-time whistle.
The second half was somewhat similar to the first. Gloucester maintained their performance level, and Olly Thorley benefited by scoring the try of the night. The winger scythed through the Tigers defensive line to get the first score of the second half, but the Midlans club would eventually hit back.
Versatile forward Mike Williams powered over the line, giving the Tigers faithful a brief glimmer of hope, but it would be the last time the visitors would score a point. A very late Thorley try was the final action of the night. Yet another, strong performance from Gloucester.
Harlequins 20 – 7 Newcastle Falcons
An oddity for Friday nights, there was a second game that evening. Newcastle Falcons had a disruptive start to the game as Toby Flood had to start for an injured Johnny Williams. Added to this, early on, Joel Hodgson was stretchered off meaning 24th man Tim Swiel was in action for much of the game.
The first try of the game was scored 36 minutes in by former Cardiff Met student Alex Dombrandt. Starlet Marcus Smith converted the score, some 15 minutes after he opened the scoring with a penalty. The next score of the game was another Smith penalty, 10 minutes after the second half resumed.
Following this, Francis Saili scored Quins’ second try. James Lang successfully added the extra points, bringing the score to 20-0. Falcons would eventually make an impact on the scoreline. Scottish lock, Andrew Davidson broke through to reduce the deficit, but Harlequins were too much for a depleted Newcastle team.
Saturday
Bath Rugby 28 – 13 Worcester Warriors
The first Saturday game saw Bath beat Worcester Warriors at the Rec. Duncan Weir and Freddie Burns both kicked penalties early on, before the games’ first try. Semesa Rokduguni continued his recent good form and got over the line to bring Bath in front, as well as handing Freddie Burns another two points to his tally.
Worcester remained in the game though, as a score from the mightily impressive centre Ryan Mills was converted by the unflappable Weir. Two penalties from Burns would be the last entries for the half before penside flanker Tom Ellis added to the scoresheet six minutes into the second period.
The versatile forward showed how dynamic he could be, to allow Burns another two off the tee. Following Ellis’ score, Weir was presented with another opportunity to get three points which he duly took, but Bath’s Elliott Stooke had the final say of the game.
Having recently had a good run of games, it came as no surprise to see the Englishman go over the line and put the result beyond any doubt.
Northampton Saints 36 – 17 Wasps
This game started as it would go on as Northampton put in a controlled display to beat Wasps. Australian Andrew Kellaway scored just five minutes in, but James Grayson couldn’t add the extras, but he did redeem himself by adding two penalties later on in the half.
Young centre Fraser Dingwall was the next Saint to get five points. Again, the try was unconverted, but opposite number Lima Sopoaga would be showing young Grayson how to kick. All Black Sopoaga calmly put his side on the scoresheet just after the 40-minute mark, thus ending the half.
Despite the break, Saints did not seem to lose any momentum. Piers Francis was the first to prove this just three minutes into the second half with a try. Agonisingly, Grayson was unable to convert again and with his Dad being the club’s kicking coach, there will be little sympathy for him.
Wasps finally broke through for a try 10 minutes into the second half. Thomas Young went over for the score, in the process allowing Sopoaga to add two points to his personal tally. But, Saints continued to steamroll their visitors. Taqele Naiyaravoro was having a barnstorming afternoon and rightfully got a try for his work rate. If you’re wondering about a conversion, you need not ask.
Youngster Ollie Sleightholme son of former Saints winger Jon, scored his first try for the club as the lead was extended further. And, finally, there was a conversion. Piers Francis had assumed the duties shortly beforehand, kicking a penalty and even added two more for the conversion. Wasps would score late on through Josh Bassett, however, any chances of a comeback were long gone.
Saracens 31 – 25 Sale Sharks
Sale welcomed Robert du Preez to their starting line-up on Saturday and the South African begun as he will intend to carry on. Slotting a penalty early on, du Preez had six points following the start of Will Skelton’s stint in the sin bin.
Prior to Sale’s second penalty, Michael Rhodes had driven over the whitewash, giving scrum-half Ben Spencer two points from the tee. Alex Lewington scored for Sarries when they were a man down as did academy product Nick Tompkins. Spencer slotted each conversion, giving the home side a strong lead.
The half was brought to a close by a Byron McGuigan try, with du Preez adding the extras again and Sale were on top for much of the second period.
Du Preez kicked over four penalties before Sarries troubled the try line again. Young lock Joel Kpoku was the player to benefit from the clubs’ teamwork. Spencer kicked the conversion and it was the former Cambridge man who brought proceedings to a close with a penalty.
Sunday
Bristol Bears 29 - 31 Exeter Chiefs
To say that this game was competitive would be doing it a disservice. Exeter’s Moray Low scored the first try, three minutes after Bristol’s Callum Sheedy slotted a penalty and Low’s effort was converted by the reliable Steenson. Sheedy was at it again, gathering nine more points from the tee before another try was scored.
The man to score that try was eventual man of the match Tom Lawday. He bundled over to bring Chiefs back into contention.
Unusually, Steenson couldn’t add the extras and his side would suffer as a result. Charles Piutau, on his first start in the Premiership for Bristol, scored a magnificent effort to keep the Bears in front.
The second half was just as exciting. Luke Morahan used his searing pace to nudge the home side further in front and his flyhalf kicked for two from the tee, giving Bristol a tentative lead.
Chiefs began their comeback with a Santiago Cordero effort. The Argentine wing is continuing to get better with every game he plays and his try was converted by Steenson.
Chiefs’ club captain Jack Yeandle was the next visitor to keep the fightback going, however, Steenson was again unable to add two more points.
Sheedy would add three more points, potentially giving the Ashton Gate side the victory, but a late penalty try saw Chiefs snatch the win in the 82nd minute.
