Tuesday, 6 January 2015

It's The New Year and Things Are Getting Serious

Aviva Premiership Round 12
Round 12 for the Aviva Premiership could be a turning point for many clubs this season as Saints showed why they’re the best team in England led by Mr. Consistant Stephen Myler while Falcons showcased what exciting rugby they can produce and could have found a star in Chris Harris.

Elsewhere, Saracens are grinding out results as Irish can’t see to find any form, Gloucester looks like they prefer to play away from Kingsholm and Exeter are on a bit of a losing streak. Tigers got their revenge as Wasps look like contenders for the play – off and there’s no surprise London Welsh are still shit.

Northampton Saints 39 – 31 Newcastle Falcons
Stephen Myler hit 2,000 points becoming only the second player in Saints history to do so. 

The fly half scored 17 points against Newcastle under the Friday night lights scoring one try, three conversions and three penalties. Myler was one of five black, green and golds to cross the try line Calum Clark, George Pisi, a penalty score and Luther Burrell were the other names on the scoresheet.

It’s not to say the Falcons didn’t showcase a brilliant fight scoring four tries of their own through Chris Harris, George McGuigan, Alex Tait and Richard Mayhew.

Adding 11 points from Tom Catterick but Jim Mallinder’s troops showed why they’re champions.

Scorers
Northampton Saints
Tries: Myler, Pisi, Clark, Penalty, Burrell
Conversions: Myler (3)
Penalties: Myler (2)

Newcastle Falcons
Tries: Harris, McGuigan, Tait, Mayhew
Conversions: Catterick (4)
Penalty: Catterick

Saracens 22 – 6 London Irish
London Irish have fond memories of Allianz Park but the thought of repeating Febuary’s win were washed away.

Saracens took a 11 point lead going into the break with Owen Farrell scoring two penalties and David Strettle touching down. Their advantage fizzled down to just five points thanks to the boot of Irish fullback Tom Homer.

However, Mark McCall’s men found their fighting spirit as two more Farrell penalties and a second try for Strettle made sure they stayed in the play – offs.

Scorers
Saracens
Tries: Strettle (2)
Penalties: Farrell (4)

London Irish
Penalties: Homer (2)

Exeter Chiefs 25 – 26 Gloucester
In another West Country derby ended in heartache for Exeter has Gloucester condemned them to a third league defeat on the bounce.

In a first half, which you could have slept through (seriously, you didn’t miss anything) saw Greig Laidlaw scoring two penalties for the visitors.

The second half brought the game to life with three tries in four minutes Jack Norwell and Matt Jess for the Chiefs, while Tom Savage scored for the Cherry and Whites.

Then Ben Morgan scored ultimately the winning try and with Laidlaw adding the conversion. Things could have been different, but Gareth Steenson missed the conversion which would have been a match winner after Thomas Waldrom’s 70th minute try.

However, it was Gloucester, who left Sandy Park with the win.

Scorers
Exeter Chiefs
Tries: Norwell, Jess, Waldrom
Conversions: Steenson (2)
Penalties: Steenson (2)

Gloucester
Tries: Savage, Morgan
Conversions: Laidlaw (2)
Penalties: Laidlaw (3)
Drop Goal: Twelvetrees

Wasps 41 – 16 Sale Sharks
Wasps are showing real play – off credentials after running in five tries in a bonus point victory over Sale.

Christian Wade inspired the hosts as the winger set up tries for skipper James Haskell, Nathan Hughes and Joe Simpson to give Wasps a 27 – 9 lead at half time.

Shortly after the interval Simpson ran in for his second try and also secured the bonus point and this was followed by Ashley Johnson forcing his way over.

Sale were able to get some consolation with Joe Ford scoring three penalties as well as a try from David Seymour and Danny Cipriani’s conversion.

This season and especially in recent weeks is it time to see Wade and Simpson back in an England shirt?

Scorers
Wasps
Tries: Haskell, Hughes, Simpson (2), Johnson
Conversions: Goode (5)
Penalties: Goode
Drop Goal: Goode

Sale Sharks
Try: Seymour
Conversion: Cipriani
Penalties: Ford (3)

Leicester Tigers 17 – 8 Bath

London Welsh 13 – 24 Harlequins
London Welsh head coach Justin Burrell as said his side are playing with complete freedom as they have nothing to lose.

A part from every Aviva Premiership game as Harlequins handed the Exiles their 12th defeat in 12 games.

Welsh did start really well (I know right) with Paul Rowley scoring a try and Will Robinson adding a conversion and penalty and at one point they were leading 13 – 5.

The host couldn’t hold on as two half tries from Karl Dickson and Marland Yarde. While Kyle Sinckler and Tom Williams crossed the whitewash after the interval which proved ultimately decisive for Quins.

Scorers
London Welsh
Try: Rowley
Conversion: Robinson
Penalties: Robinson (2)

Harlequins
Tries: Dickson, Yarde, Sinckler, Williams
Conversions: Swiel (2)

Round 13 Matches
Gloucester Rugby vs Saracens (BT Sport)
Sale Shark vs Northampton Saints
Bath Rugby vs Wasps
Harlequins vs Leicester Tigers (BT Sport)
Newcastle Falcons vs London Welsh (BT Sport)
London Irish vs Exeter Chiefs

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