Banahan seals late Bath bonus-point

 

The four-tries-to-three win over the bottom-placed Warriors sees Bath pass the Leicester Tigers on the standings and move up into third place, just two points behind the second-placed Northamption Saints with two league games to go.

 

* Sale Sharks guaranteed their place in next season's European Rugby Champions Cup in style, as Sam Tuitupou grabbed two of their eight tries in a 55-12 bonus-point victory over Exeter Chiefs.

 

The Sharks have cemented their spot in sixth position on the Premiership standings and moved 12 points clear of London Wasps in seventh with just two games left, meaning that they will play in the inaugural edition of the new European rugby competition next season – which the top six Premiership teams qualify for.

 

* In the third game on Saturday, Tom Varndell celebrated his return to Premiership action with a try as London Wasps claimed a bonus point 38-30 victory over Gloucester to steal a march in the race for Europe.

 

Wasps moved up to seventh place on the standings thanks to their five-tries-to-three victory at Twickenham. It is a win that sees them take a step closer to qualification for the European Challenge Cup – the second-tier European cup compitition. 

 

 

 

Tries from Micky Young, Horacio Agulla and Nick Abendanon had Bath 19-5 up and cruising at half-time but the Warriors hit back and closed to 25-20.

 

Had Chris Pennell converted his own try and then hit the target with a late penalty the scores would have been level going into the closing stages but he was off target with both before Banahan struck.

 

The bonus point victory sees Bath move third, edging ahead of Leicester Tigers, and extends their lead over fifth-placed Harlequins to five points – a crucial gap with Mike Ford's men heading to the Stoop on the final day of the season.

 

For Worcester, it was another tale of woe as despite their second-half endeavour, they butchered a late try-scoring chance which ensured they came away with no points, rather than the two they'd have earned with a fourth late try.

 

Worcester began on the front foot and the visitors were the first on the scoreboard – wing Josh Drauniniu riding Nick Abendanon's tackle to dot down on eight minutes.

 

Ryan Lamb missed the conversion however and midway through the first half, Bath were level after their pressure finally told.

 

Matt Garvey, who was impressive throughout, was held up by some impressive Worcester defence but Young evaded the challenge of lock Mariano Galarza to snipe over.

 

George Ford converted and the England flyhalf then turned creator for Bath's second try on 24 minutes.

 

Ford swiftly changed direction, beat three Worcester defenders and released Argentina flyer Horacio Agulla, who scooted over the line – Ford again converted.

 

The Warriors were rattled and Lamb struck the upright with a penalty on 27 minutes.

 

Things got worse when they found themselves down to 14 men when flank Sam Betty was adjudged to have taken Agulla out in the air on 36 minutes.

 

Bath scented blood and they had their third try just before the break after a prolonged period of pressure – with Banahan at the fore – and Abendanon went over to continue his impressive recent run.

 

Ford missed the conversion but Bath went in at the interval 19-5 to the good.

 

Worcester switched kickers soon after the break but it was to no avail – Chris Pennell was wayward with a penalty soon after the break as Bath maintained their 14-point lead.

 

The hosts extended that to 17 eight minutes into the second half when Worcester were penalised at the scrum – Ford making no mistake from the tee.

 

Ford however, was soon sent to the sin bin following a tackle on David Lemi and that opened the way for Worcester to score their second try of the match.

 

The Warriors kicked to the corner and from the resulting line-out, powerful centre Andy Symons powered over to score on his first Aviva Premiership start since December.

 

Pennell added the extras and on the hour mark, Worcester were back to within seven when the Warriors fullback was on target with a penalty.

 

With Ford off the pitch, replacement Gavin Henson took over the kicking duties for Bath, who were awarded a 63rd-minute penalty and the Welshman bisected the posts.

 

But Pennell grabbed the Warriors' third try of the match just before Bath were restored to a full compliment, and while he missed the conversion, Worcester trailed just 25-20 with 16 minutes to go.

 

Worcester had the chance the trim the gap to just two points with eight minutes remaining but he pushed his effort across goal and Bath cleared their lines.

 

And it was Banahan that had the final say and his score – converted by Ford – ensured Worcester remain seven points adrift at the foot of the table.

 

 

Tries: Young, Agulla, Abendanon, Banahan

Cons: Ford 3

Pens: Ford, Henson

 

Tries: Drauniniu, Symons, Pennell

Con: Pennell

Pen: Pennel

 

Yellow Cards: Sam Betty (Worcester Warriors, 36), George Ford (Bath, 54)

 

 

Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Anthony Watson 13 Matt Banahan 12 Kyle Eastmond 11 Horacio Agulla 10 George Ford 9 Micky Young 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Carl Fearns, 6 Matt Garvey, 5 Dave Attwood, 4 Stuart Hooper (captain), 3 David Wilson, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Nathan Catt.

Replacements: 16 Ross Batty, 17 Paul James, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Dominic Day, 20 Guy Mercer, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 Gavin Henson, 23 Jonathan Joseph.

 

Worcester: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Josh Drauniniu, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Andy Symons, 11 David Lemi, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Jonny Arr, 8 Jonathan Thomas (captain), 7 Sam Betty, 6 Mike Williams, 5 Mariano Galarza, 4 James Percival, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Ofa Fainga'anuku.

Replacements: 16 Ed Shervington, 17 Paul Andrew, 18 Rob O'Donnell, 19 Semisi Taulava, 20 Richard de Carpentier, 21 Paul Hodgson, 22 Paul Warwick, 23 Ravai Fatiaki.

 

Referee: Matthew Carley

Assistant referees: Peter Huckle and Paul Dixon

TMO: Rowan Kitt

 

 

The Sharks headed to Exeter having lost on all their previous trips to Sandy Park, but got off to a fast start as tries from Michal Paterson, Tom Arscott and Tuitopou gave the visitors a 19-0 lead.

 

Fetu'u Vainikolo went over just before half-time to give Exeter Chiefs hope of a comeback but it was soon extinguished after the break as Tuitupou grabbed his second and Dwayne Peel went over.

 

Dave Seymour, Tom Brady and Andrei Ostrikov helped themselves to tries late on as Sale recorded five consecutive away Premiership victories for the first time in their history – Carl Rimmer's late consolation score doing little to raise Chiefs' spirits.

 

After both sides felt each other out in the opening ten minutes Paterson brought the game to life, brushing past would-be tacklers Gareth Steenson, Jack Yeandle and Dave Ewers before touching down, Danny Cipriani converting.

 

Sale were then awarded a penalty and Cipriani opted to kick for touch rather than go for the posts to highlight their early dominance.

 

The decision paid off as soon Arscott had Sharks' second try, although this time Cipriani's conversion bounced off an upright.

 

Missed tackles were proving Exeter's downfall and they were once again their own worst enemy as Tuitupou grabbed Sale's third try.

 

Viliami Fihaki broke before passing to Seymour and although he was tackled the ball was recycled to the left wing and Tuitupou scored – Cipriani drilling over the extras.

 

Just as half-time was looming, Exeter Chiefs gave their fans some hope as after a lineout was won the ball was recycled well and superb work by Phil Dollman saw Vainikolo race clear to go under the posts and give Steenson the simplest of conversions.

 

This try seemed to boost the hosts and they started the second half strongly with Sale defending doggedly to keep them at bay.

 

They did exactly that and on 56 minutes they made the home side pay as Tuitupou secured the bonus point try, benefitting from a great delayed pass from Cipriani, the flyhalf adding the extras.

 

Although they had the bonus point wrapped up Sale were in no mood to ease up and Peel was sent over by Andrei Ostrikov for a fifth try, Cipriani sending the tough conversion through the posts.

 

Next over for Sale was Seymour as he intercepted a pass and raced over, Cipriani adding the extras once again.

 

Joe Ford came off the bench and duly sent over a drop goal, but his conversion attempt after Brady went over in the corner for Sale's seventh try came back of an upright.

 

Rimmer went over for a pushover try to raise a few spirits at Sandy Park but replacement Ostrikov followed suit at the other end with Sale's eighth try of the game.

 

 

Tries: Vainikolo, Rimmer

Con: Steenson

 

Tries: Paterson, Scott, Tuitupou 2, Peel, Seymour, Brady, Ostikov

Cons: Cipriani 4, Ford 2

DG: Ford

 

 

Exeter: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Dave Lewis, 8 Kai Horstmann, 7 Ben White, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Damian Welch, 4 Dean Mumm (captain), 3 Alex Brown, 2 Jack Yeandle, 1 Ben Moon.

Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Carl Rimmer, 18 Hoani Tui, 19 James Phillips, 20 James Scaysbrook, 21 Haydn Thomas, 22 Henry Slade, 23 Luke Arscott.

 

Sale: 15 Tom Arscott, 14 Tom Brady, 13 Jonny Leota, 12 Sammy Tuitupou, 11 Charlie Ingall, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Viliami Fahiki, 7 David Seymour (captain), 6 James Gaskell, 5 Michael Paterson, 4 Jonathan Mills, 3 Vadim Cobilas, 2 Marc Jones, 1 Eifion Lewis-Roberts.

Replacements: 16 Tommy Taylor, 17 Ross Harrison, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Andrei Ostikov, 20 Mark Easter, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Mark Jennings.

 

Referee: Greg Garner

Assistant referees: Gareth Copsey and Paul Burton

TMO: Geoff Warren

 

 

Tries from James Haskell, Varndell and Elliot Daly gave Wasps an eight-point advantage at the break, with Gloucester posting an early Jonny May try and 11 points from the boot of Billy Twelvetrees.

 

Ashley Johnson powered over for the Londoners on the hour mark and though Huia Edmonds responded for Gloucester, Haskell grabbed his second try of the game to cap a fine showing.

 

With Exeter Chiefs losing heavily at home to Sale Sharks, the result lifted Wasps up to seventh and into pole position for the play-off spot for next year's European Rugby Champions Cup.

 

Freddie Burns added a late intercept try for Gloucester to narrow the gap again to eight points but they failed to claim a losing bonus score.

 

After the crowd were treated to a set from musical group "Little Mix", the Wasps faithful were given reason to continue cheering when Haskell went over for the first try after 11 minutes.

 

Haskell crossed the line following a great break from Nathan Hughes – touching down despite a great defensive effort from Rob Cook. Andy Goode successfully converted to give Wasps a 7-0 advantage.

 

Just two minutes later, Wasps immediately gifted Gloucester a way back into the game as an error from try-scorer Haskell allowed May run onto Cook's kick-through and touch down for his tenth try of the season.

 

Twelvetrees converted to level the scores but Wasps regained the lead through Goode's boot on 19 minutes and just three minutes later Varndell intercepted a Twelvetrees pass in midfield and ran home from 40 metres for his first Premiership try of the season –  in the wing's first game back after three months out with a bicep tear.

 

Gloucester remained in touch as Twelvetrees successfully kicked penalties after 28 and 31 minutes.

 

With the break nearing, Daly extended Wasps' advantage on 36 minutes, touching down following a break and offload from captain Chris Bell – Goode converting with ease to give Wasps a 24-16 lead at half-time.

 

Wasps were reduced to 14 men just two minutes into the second half when Will Helu was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on.

 

Wasps secured the try-scoring bonus point on 59 minutes when the powerful Johnson burst through the Gloucester defence after the London club spent ten minutes inside Gloucester's 22. Goode converted to give Wasps a deserved 15 point lead.

 

Gloucester responded with great heart and after 64 minutes hooker Edmonds found just enough space to break through the Wasps backline and put Gloucester back in the game.

 

On 72 minutes flanker Haskell scored his second try of the game, bursting over from a ruck five yards from the line – Joe Carlisle converted his first attempt of the day and restored Wasps' 15-point lead.

 

On 74 minutes Johnson became the second Wasps man to go into the sin-bin for another deliberate knock-on.

 

Just two minutes later Burns intercepted and ran over to score between the posts – Twelvetrees converted to put Gloucester eight points behind with just four minutes remaining.

 

Wasps were reduced to 13 men on 77 minutes when Andrea Masi blocked off Sharples as he kicked and chased the ball towards the try line, but Wasps held out for the win.

 

 

Tries: Haskell 2, Varndell, Daly, Johnson

Pen: Goode

 

Tries: May, Edmonds, Burns

Cons: Twelvetrees 3

Pens: Twelvetrees 3

 

Yellow cards: Viliami Helu (London Wasps, 41), Ashley Johnson (London Wasps, 74), Andrea Masi (London Wasps, 77)

 

 

Wasps: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Viliami Helu, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Chris Bell (captain), 11 Tom Varndell, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 James Haskell, 6 Ashley Johnson, 5 Kearnan Myall, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 2 Carlo Festuccia, 1 Matt Mullan.

Replacements: 16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 Tom Palmer, 20 Sam Jones, 21 Charlie Davies, 22 Joe Carlisle, 23 Charlie Hayter.

 

Gloucester: 15 Rob Cook, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Jonny May, 12 Mike Tindall, 11 Martyn Thomas, 10 Billy Twelvetrees (captain), 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 James Hudson, 4 Elliott Stooke, 3 Shaun Knight, 2 Huia Edmonds, 1 Nick Wood.

Replacements: 16 Dan George, 17 Dan Murphy, 18 Yann Thomas, 19 Lua Lokotui, 20 Ross Moriarty, 21 Dan Robson, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Bill Meakes.

 

Referee: Wayne Barnes

Assistant referees: Stuart Terheege, Roger Baileff

TMO: David Grashoff