This weekend the Premiership continued with teams either trying to counter or continue their opening weekend results. The interesting games are just going to keep coming. There were another couple of big games this weekend that kept us on our toes and I’m not even talking about the games that happened at Twickenham.
Gloucester 15 Saracens 17
Saracens will be pleased with this win. They did what needed to be done to win. Ellery looks like a great livewire to replace Strettle. He is showing that Saracens are playing good rugby. This week there opponents Gloucester fought back and they fought through the boot of Twelvetrees again. This game was about the kickers as 27 of the 32 points were off the tee. Saracens are top of the table and will be happy with that and could be there for a while to come. Gloucester will also be encourage as there start has been a lot more positive than first thought. Next up Gloucester host a West Country derby against Worcester and Saracens host Irish.
Sale Sharks 27 Worcester Warriors 13
This was an expected result but not an expected performance as Sale were definitely the better team. There were signs of the team that threatened the top six last year and Cipriani was pulled the strings again now that he had the ball to do so. Sale looked so much better than they did last week and will be relieved because they needed to step it up even though it was only game two. Warriors shouldn’t be to dis-hearted because AJ Bell stadium is know as a tough place to go and they did make sure they were counted even if they never really threaten the end result. However O’Callaghan is already proving his weight in gold and will be vital if they are to survive. Next week Sale have Saints coming to town while Warrior are back to their first West Country derby at Kingsholm against Gloucester.
Northampton Saints 42 Newcastle Falcons 16
The Saints needed a reaction after last week and they got it. They flew out of the blocks and even though the Falcons kept in touch for the first half the Saints powered to a bonus point win. The forwards seem to be the difference and turned the screw in the second half. Foden and Day’s brace’s as well Burrell getting a try, showed that there are good English players that didn’t get to the World Cup but making sure they are still on England’s radar. Falcons have a lot of work to do but they are still playing with ball and showing some impressive moments, this won’t however change that they are winless from the first 2 games. Next Saints go to Sale and Falcons already needing a win to steady them, host Chiefs
Wasps 16 Bath 9
Wasps have been pretty formidable at their new home and this game hasn’t changed that. Wasps were not necessarily in control until Matawalu held back Hughes and got sin binned as well as giving away a penalty try which changed the outcome. They played the most exciting rugby and looked like they was close to scoring on a couple of occasions. There home form is going to be very important this year as the Rioch is seeming like a fortress for them with their away form being so up and down for a few years now. Bath will look at this game as a missed opportunity and an opportunity they should have taken, especially if they are to challenge for the title. It is not doom and gloom for them yet as this is only the second game but to win the title you need to beat mid table teams and no offence to Wasps that is what they are. Next up for Wasps is a monster of a game as they go to Welford Road and for Bath a home game at the ever improving Harlequins.
Exeter Chiefs 38 London Irish 11
If you look at the stats of this game you would think that Exeter lost this match. This will be very worrying for Irish fans as they were taken apart but a fantastic Chiefs team. The Chiefs are looking very impressive and these 6 tries only add to that, Norwell getting two of them. This performance is only providing that they could be a very seriously be a top four team. Irish are already in danger at the foot of the table. This is not good and they need to kick the troubles straight away, unfortunately this is not going to happen next week as they face Saracens away. The Chiefs have a long trip up to the Falcons.
Leicester Tigers 22 Harlequins 19
Harlequins will be very disappointed to come away with only a bonus point loss. They were in this fight till the end and were even 4 points ahead with 25 minutes to go before Pearce went over to win it for the Tigers. Quins look like a much improved team and this is going to continue. They still have some of their England contingent to come back but in the meantime future England players like Clifford are taking advantage of their game time. Tigers are not seeming like the great team that they have been over the last decade or so, but then we rarely see their greatness before the run in to the playoffs. However they will still be pleased with the new signing of South Africa legend of Jean De Villiers who will only bolster their team. De Villiers and Tuilagi as a centre partnership will definitely be worth a watch. Next up Tigers host long time rivals Wasps and Quins go West to Bath.
SweetEngland 