Allianz Premier 15s – Round 12
NRM is the hashtag that features prominently all over Sale’s presence these days.
But it wasn’t enough to save DMP Sharks, who follow fellow northerners Firwood Waterloo and southerners Richmond and Wasps into oblivion outside the elite league.
At least DMP had the bitter-sweet consolation of doing the double against Wasps (full results below).
The new company in charge of Prem 15s affairs must be wondering whether any other club can suddenly disappear into thin air the way the swarm has done.
Sale proved their worth against Quins, leading 14-10 at half-time, but the past champions’ overseas purchases (France, South Africa, USA and especially Australia through Bella McKenzie) proved decisive as benches were emptied.
The top three already lie a distance ahead of their rivals. Even with that 5-point away win in Cheshire, Quins are marooned a full five points adrift of Sarries. More important, the gap between them and Bristol opens out to four points. Although the Bears have proved more penetrative, their defences have been much more porous than Quins’.
The Way Forward
My early season prediction may turn out correct after all. Sarries gained a vital away win at Kingsholm to inflict a first defeat of the season on Gloucester-Hartpury. Now they can look forward to a repeat performance there, since the same venue has been selected for the final.
Exeter are fulfilling their owner’s ambition to finish top of the league, cost it what it may. In the run-in they still have to face Saracens, Quins and Bristol away from home – quite a challenge.
When all is said and done, final table positions are less vital than the knock-out wins that follow. There the central issue is whether home advantage makes the difference. Clubs have few doubts that they do.
Results
Gloucester-Hartpury 27 Saracens 36
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe
ARs: Hamish Grant and Ryan Collier
Exeter Chiefs 45 Loughborough Lightning 5
Referee: Mike Hudson
ARs: Simon Adams and Ian Bibey
Bristol Bears 59 University of Worcester Warriors 10
Referee: Neil Chivers
ARs: Adam Wookey and Peter Brunt
Wasps 12 DMP Sharks 36
Referee: Charlie Gayther
ARs: Fiona Brunt and Darryl Chapman
Sale Sharks 21 Harlequins 31
Referee: Andrew Jackson
ARs: Simon Park and Gregg Dawson
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net
Table P W L Pts
Exeter 12 11 1 55
Gloucester-H 12 11 1 54
Saracens 12 9 3 45
Harlequins 12 8 4 40
Bristol 12 7 5 36
UWW 12 4 8 25
Sale 12 5 7 24
Lightning 12 3 9 17
DMPS 12 2 10 10
Wasps 12 0 12 0
