Aviva Premiership Round Three Review
BARNET, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Owen Farrell of Saracens kicks a penalty during the Aviva Premiership match between Saracens and London Irish at Allianz Park stadium on October 31, 2015 in Barnet, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
Aviva Premiership

Aviva Premiership Round Three Review

2 November 2015
Rugby Rucker
A recap of the weekend’s action in the Aviva Premiership as Saracens remain top of the table while Newcastle Falcons slip to bottom after a crushing defeat by Exeter Chiefs.
Saturday, October 31st
Saracens 24 – 14 London Irish
Bath Rugby 28 – 38 Harlequins
Gloucester Rugby 24 – 22 Worcester Warriors
Sunday, November 1st
Newcastle Falcons 3 – 41 Exeter Chiefs
Sale Sharks 20 – 13 Northampton Saints
Leicester Tigers 24 – 16 Wasps
Saracens 24-14 London Irish
BARNET, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Jackson Wray of Saracens is tackled by Fergus Mulchrone of London Irish during the Aviva Premiership match between Saracens and London Irish at Allianz Park stadium on October 31, 2015 in Barnet, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
BARNET, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 31: Jackson Wray of Saracens is tackled by Fergus Mulchrone of London Irish during the Aviva Premiership match between Saracens and London Irish at Allianz Park stadium on October 31, 2015 in Barnet, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

Saracens continue to be ahead of the pack in the Aviva Premiership following a home victory over London Irish.  The reigning champions sent out a warning to the rest of the league that they mean business after their third straight victory this season.

At the break, London Irish were in front thanks to a try from Asaeli Tikoirotuma.

But after the break Jackson Bray and Alex Goode scored tries with Owen Farrell scoring one of the conversions and scoring four penalties to complete a comprehensive 24-14 victory for Sarries.

Read full report here: https://www.ruck.co.uk/?p=10559

Bath Rugby 28-38 Harlequins
BATH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Chris Robshaw of Harlequins in action during the Aviva Premiership Match between Bath Rugby and Harlequins at The Recreation Ground on October 31, 2015 in Bath, England. (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images)
BATH, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 31: Chris Robshaw of Harlequins in action during the Aviva Premiership Match between Bath Rugby and Harlequins at The Recreation Ground on October 31, 2015 in Bath, England. (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images)

After a defeat to Leicester Tigers in round two, Harlequins wanted to get back to winning ways when they travelled west to Bath.

It was Bath who started the better, scoring the only try in the first half through Kyle Eastmond. George Ford converted but with penalties for both teams it left the score at half time 13-12 to the home team.

But in the second half Harlequins got on the try score sheet twice through Danny Care and replacement Dave Ward with Nick Evans scoring both conversions. The Quins number 10 also scored eight penalties to give the visitors a 28-38 win.

Read full report here: https://www.ruck.co.uk/?p=10561

Gloucester Rugby 24-22 Worcester Warriors
GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Gloucester players including Richard Hibbard during the Aviva Premiership match between Gloucester Rugby and Worcester Warriors at Kingsholm Stadium on October 31, 2015 in Gloucester, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 31: Gloucester players including Richard Hibbard during the Aviva Premiership match between Gloucester Rugby and Worcester Warriors at Kingsholm Stadium on October 31, 2015 in Gloucester, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

This local derby was always going to be a close affair, and it showed when they scored a try apiece in the first five minutes with Richie Hibbard for Gloucester on two minutes and Cooper Vuna for Worcester and a conversion by Tom Heathcote on 4 minutes. Gloucester missed their resulting kick.

Both teams had another try a piece in the first half, and again Gloucester missed the conversion whereas Worcester scored theirs, but the Cherry and Whites still went in half time leader 19-17 due to them having two successful penalties to Worcester’s one.

In the second half, there were two tries scored, one each but no conversions as Gloucester held on to win, moving up to third in the Aviva Premiership.

Read full report here: https://www.ruck.co.uk/?p=10567

Newcastle Falcons 3-41 Exeter Chiefs
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 1: Don Armand (L) of Exeter Chiefs celebrates with team-mate Ben Moon after he scores a try for his side during the Aviva Premiership match between Newcastle Falcons and Exeter Chiefs at Kingston Park on November 1, 2015 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Clint Hughes/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 1: Don Armand (L) of Exeter Chiefs celebrates with team-mate Ben Moon after he scores a try for his side during the Aviva Premiership match between Newcastle Falcons and Exeter Chiefs at Kingston Park on November 1, 2015 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Clint Hughes/Getty Images)

Newcastle slipped to the bottom of the Aviva Premiership on Sunday after being thrashed by Exeter Chiefs, conceding six tries.

Exeter sealed a bonus point this weekend with only Mike Delaney’s penalty being the only points for an error-prone Newcastle.

Tries from Will Chudley, Julian Salvi, Don Armand with two, Matt Jess and substitute Moray Low plus a penalty and four conversions from Gareth Steenson to seal this dominant victory.

Read full report here: https://www.ruck.co.uk/?p=10597

Sale Sharks 20-13 Northampton Saints
SALFORD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 1: Sale Sharks players congratulate Sam James, second from right, after he scored his side's first try of the match during the Aviva Premiership match between Sale Sharks and Northampton Saints at the AJ Bell Stadium on November 1, 2015 in Salford, England. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images)
SALFORD, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 1: Sale Sharks players congratulate Sam James, second from right, after he scored his side’s first try of the match during the Aviva Premiership match between Sale Sharks and Northampton Saints at the AJ Bell Stadium on November 1, 2015 in Salford, England. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images)

Sale were up by six points before Northampton came to life in this fixture courtesy of Danny Cipriani’s two penalties, but Northampton were on level terms later in the half with penalties from Stephen Myler.

Very soon after Sale were back in front from a Sam James Try and a Danny Cipriani conversion. The score at half time was 13-6.

In the second half Will Addison scores, a try and Cipriani converted which meant that Stephen Myler try, and conversion was just consolation.

Read full report here: https://www.ruck.co.uk/?p=10624

Leicester Tigers 24-16 Wasps
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Owen Williams of Leicester kicks a penalty during the Aviva Premiership match between Leicester Tigers and Wasps at Welford Road on November 1, 2015 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 01: Owen Williams of Leicester kicks a penalty during the Aviva Premiership match between Leicester Tigers and Wasps at Welford Road on November 1, 2015 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)

Leicester stayed hot on the heels on Saracens at the top of Aviva Premiership and are still just one point behind after this encounter with the home team coming out victorious.

The Tigers took the lead following a Vereniki Goneva try, and an Owen Williams conversion who also added two penalties. However, three penalties from Wasps made the half time score close to 13-9.

In the second half, Leicester scored two penalties from Williams and a try from Telusa Veainu to extend their advantage. Wasps managed to get a try and conversion from substitute Lorenzo Cittadini and Ruaridh Jackson respectively.

Read full report here: https://www.ruck.co.uk/?p=10632