Premiership rugby review: Saracens run riot over Sale, Northampton edge victory over Exeter and Leicester Tigers dismantle Newcastle
After nearly three weeks of no Premiership action, Round 13 took place over the weekend, showcasing some high-scoring affairs.
Saracens managed to score 85 points away from home against a struggling Sale Sharks side.
Exeter hosted top of the league Northampton Saints in a closely contested match, with only seven points separating the two sides at the full-time whistle.
Sports News Blitz’s rugby writer James Corrigan provides a round-up of all five matches that took place over the weekend.
Bristol Bears vs Gloucester (53-12)
Ashton Gate was the venue for the first match of the weekend as Bristol Bears hosted Gloucester.
The Bears managed to get off to a fast start, finding their first try of the match through scrum-half Kieran Marmion only three minutes after kick-off following a relentless attack from the Bristol forwards.
Things only got worse for the away side as their hooker Seb Blake received a yellow card for a high tackle on Ellis Genge.
Despite being a man down, Gloucester were able to score the next points in the match. A charge-down on a clearing kick knocked the ball into Bristol’s dead-ball area, where Gloucester full-back George Barton was quickest to react, scoring the try.
Bristol capitalised on the player advantage, scoring two well-worked tries in quick succession. Kalaveti Ravouvou finished both, receiving the ball on the wing with space each time.
The discipline of the away team prevented them from gaining any control, as they received an additional two yellow cards and conceded two more tries before the break.
Despite being down to 13 men, Gloucester were able to cross the whitewash for their second try through blindside flanker Deian Gwynne.
In similar fashion to the first half, Bristol scored early in the second, with an interception from fly-half Tom Jordan allowing him to score moments later.
Despite Bristol receiving a yellow card later in the match, Gloucester were unable to add any more points.
Final score: Bristol Bears 53-12 Gloucester.
Leicester Tigers vs Newcastle Red Bulls (62-3)
Leicester Tigers faced Newcastle Red Bulls next. The away side, who have struggled for success this season, were unable to turn things around.
Newcastle got off to the worst possible start, as winger Elliot Obatoyinbo received a yellow card one minute after kick-off due to a deliberate knock-on.
Former Newcastle hooker Jamie Blamire showed his class against his old club, scoring the opening try following a driving maul.
Any hopes of an upset were quickly diminished when Red Bulls number eight Ollie Leatherbarrow was shown a red card for a dangerous clear-out at the ruck, reducing the visitors to 13 players with only six minutes played.
Leicester’s quality was evident as they took full advantage, scoring four more tries before half-time, three of which came from Welsh international Gabe Hamer-Webb.
Leicester continued their dominance in the second half, scoring five more tries, some of which could be contenders for try of the season.
Newcastle were unable to gain any foothold and were outclassed from start to finish.
Final score: Leicester Tigers 62-3 Newcastle Red Bulls.
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Exeter Chiefs vs Northampton Saints (28-35)
Exeter hosted Northampton Saints at Sandy Park in what proved to be the closest game of the weekend.
The home side made a flying start as England international Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored after just one minute, finding space on the wing to cross the try line.
The home crowd were treated to more early action as centre Will Rigg powered through tackles to score Exeter’s second try.
The Saints responded through scrum-half Alex Mitchell, who found a gap in the defence to score their first try.
The score was levelled in the final play of the first half, as winger Ollie Sleightholme finished out wide, followed by a successful conversion from Fin Smith.
Both teams struggled to break each other down in the second half until Exeter regained the lead through winger Campbell Riddle, who scored the first try after the break.
A yellow card shown to Feyi-Waboso shifted momentum once again. Northampton capitalised, with George Furbank finding space to score.
Another yellow card for Exeter reduced them to 13 men, proving decisive. Henry Pollock powered through an isolated defence to extend the Saints’ lead.
Paul Brown-Bampoe came off the bench to score in the 76th minute following a charge-down, bringing Exeter close to a draw.
However, the Saints had the final say. Fin Smith found space in the stretched defence to score a last-minute try and secure the win.
Final score: Exeter Chiefs 28-35 Northampton Saints.
Bath vs Harlequins (48-15)
The reigning Premiership champions Bath hosted Harlequins.
Bath started quickly, with Santiago Carreras intercepting the ball and running the length of the pitch to score the opening try.
Harlequins responded through inside centre Bryn Bradley, who powered over following a driving maul.
Bath regained control before half-time, adding two more tries through Tom Carr-Smith and Carreras.
Three tries were scored in the opening ten minutes of the second half, two of which went to Bath through Tom Dunn and Ewan Richards.
Harlequins stayed competitive briefly, with second-row Kieran Treadwell scoring, but Bath’s depth proved too strong.
The home side added three unanswered tries before the final whistle to secure a convincing victory.
Final score: Bath 48-15 Harlequins.
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Sale Sharks vs Saracens (19-85)
Sale Sharks hosted Saracens in a one-sided contest.
Saracens dominated the first half, scoring six tries without reply. Their physicality and pace overwhelmed the Sharks’ defence.
Tries from Rotimi Segun, Tom Willis, Rhys Carre and Fergus Burke helped secure a 38-0 lead at half-time.
Sale responded early in the second half through Tom O’Flaherty, who finished well out wide.
However, Saracens quickly reasserted control, scoring four tries in 12 minutes. Among them was a second-half hat-trick from Noah Caluori, who ended the match with five tries.
Sale added two late tries through O’Flaherty and England international prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour, but the damage had long been done.
Final score: Sale Sharks 19-85 Saracens.
