Aviva Premiership Weekend Round-Up

May 03, 2017
2001
Ultimate Rugby

Aviva Premiership Round-Up

Harlequins v Wasps

Departing Quins legend Nick Evans slotted 22 points on his final appearance at The Stoop to boost Harlequins' top-six hopes with a win over Wasps.

Wasps scored the only try of the first half through Dan Robson after some superb work by Jimmy Gopperth, sending them into the lead at half-time.

Quins came out fighting in the second half, scoring two tries through Tim Visser & Joe Marchant, while Evans provided the extras from the tee.

Evans also contributed six penalties to secure a win in his final home game.

Harlequins travel to Northampton in the final round in a potential shootout for the last automatic place in next season's European Champions Cup.

Newcastle v Worcester

Tongan scrum-half Sonatane Takulua scored all of Newcastle's points to beat Worcester.

Takulua kicked two first half penalties to put Newcastle 6-0 up at half time.

A 3rd penalty for the Falcons edged them further ahead before Will Welch received a yellow card and Worcester grabbed a penalty try.

Wynand Olivier's try briefly put Worcester ahead, but Tongan scrum-half Takulua converted his own try to seal victory.

The win keeps Falcons in contention for a place in the Champions Cup for the first time in 12 years, as the team finishing seventh in the table earn the chance to qualify through the play-offs.

Saracens v Bristol

Despite already being relegated, Bristol held a suprise lead at half-time against Saracens at Allianz Park.

Former Wales international Gavin Henson kicked three first half penalties to leave them 9-3 in front at the interval.

Saracens fought back with four second-half tries as theybroke down the Bristol defence, introducing a host of star names.

The win sees Saracens keep alive their renewed hope of a top-two finish.

Exeter Chiefs v Northampton

Exeter became the first Premiership side to secure seven straight bonus point victories.

The hosts ran in six tries to move level on points with Wasps. Don Armand, Ian Whitten, Sam Hill, Jack Nowell & a double from Olly Woodburn secured the bonus-point victory.

A victory for Rob Baxter's side at Gloucester on the final day of the regular season will guarantee them a home play-off semi-final.

Northampton are now three points behind sixth-placed Harlequins, with European Champions Cup qualification out of their control.

Bath Rugby v Gloucester

Taulupe Faletau scored a hat trick of tries as Bath thrased Gloucester by a 24-point margin.

In a hotly contested opening half of rugby, there was little between the sides as they went into the break 10-8, with tries from Faletau and Jonny May for the visitors.

Bath outplayed their rivals in the second half, conceding 29 unanswered points. Despite late tries from May & Halaifonua, it was a case of too little too late.

Faletau rounded off his second half exploits with two second half tries to complete a stunning performance.

The bonus-point win helps Bath take the battle for the final Premiership play-off spot down to the final day, a win that ended Gloucester's top-six hopes.