Cipriani stars in Sharks win
Harry Mallinder's last-gasp try gave Northampton Saints a vital bonus point 29-23 win over top-four rivals Harlequins at Franklin's Gardens.
In Newcastle, Wasps continued their unbeaten run against Newcastle Falcons as two tries each for Dan Robson and Thomas Young helped them to a 34-20 win at Kingston Park.
Sale Sharks 27-20 Leicester Tigers
In an entertaining Premiership match which saw five tries, thunder and lightning and a 12-minute halt in proceedings, Danny Cipriani capped off a fine man of the match display with the match-winning try on 70 minutes.
His first-half break helped set up Cameron Neild for the game's opening try before his hack forward towards the touchline was skilfully gathered in by Will Addison for Nev Edwards to add a second before the break.
But Leicester Tigers played their part in the match too, with tries for Tommy Bell and Vereniki Goneva helping to draw the sides level at 20-20 on 62 minutes - shortly after the match had been temporarily halted due to player safety with thunder and lightning overhead - before Cipriani had the last word despite late Tigers pressure.
It was the hosts who made the brighter start with a number of quick breaks including one by Sam James on the far touchline but he failed to play in Edwards on the outside and was eventually tackled.
But they were soon awarded a penalty and Cipriani made no mistakes from right in front of the posts for 3-0 after two minutes.
Tigers looked to respond immediately and Ben Youngs almost got to the line after a quickly taken penalty but he was held up.
But the visitors maintained the pressure and were handed a boost when Tommy Taylor was shown a yellow for coming in at the side of the maul.
From the resulting play, Youngs looked to have played in Goneva for his third try in as many games but the wing knocked on agonisingly short after good pressure from Edwards, while the supporting Burns also appeared to pick up an injury after a knock to the back.
The visitors did not come away empty handed though with Freddie Burns knocking over a simple penalty minutes afterwards to draw the scores level.
The first try of the game arrived on 21 minutes and it went the way of Sale Sharks after a superb break through midfield from Cipriani, with Edwards picking up the pass before the ball was eventually recycled back to Neild to go over for his first Premiership try.
Cipriani added the extras and Leicester's misery was compounded with Burns forced off the pitch having failed to recover from his earlier knock.
Owen Williams was able to step up in his absence to knock over a penalty though to make the score 10-6 after 24 minutes.
Five minutes later, Sharks had their second try of the game and it came after some clever skill on the near touchline from Will Addison.
With the ball hacked forward by Cipriani from close to the hosts' own line, the ball appeared to be bouncing out but winger Addison managed to keep it alive ahead of Tigers' Bell before gathering in, with Edwards then picking up the baton to run in. Cipriani added the extras for 17-6.
But there was still time for a third try of the match before half-time as a break through the middle eventually saw Manu Tuilagi feed Bell to score in the left-hand corner, with Williams' conversion making it 17-13 at the break.
Tigers were reduced to 14 within two minutes of the restart when Laurence Pearce was sin-binned following an infringement at the breakdown and Cipriani made them pay with his fourth penalty of the match on 43 minutes.
The weather was also taking a turn for the worst, with thunder, lightning and heavy rain making playing conditions difficult.
And on 54 minutes referee Tom Foley made the decision to take both teams off with concerns over player safety due to the lightning with the scoreline at 20-13.
After a 12-minute break in proceedings, action resumed with a Leicester scrum, although it was Sale who found their rhythm the quickest when they almost scored a try from Cipriani's drop goal attempt.
The flyhalf's attempt was well off target but Bell and Mathew Tait appeared to get in each other's way when touching to touch down safely leaving Edwards a simple touch for the try but the TMO ruled that the Tigers players had managed to get a touch on the ball.
And the visitors responded in style to draw level on 62 minutes, spreading the ball from right to left from the line-out before Goneva made no mistake this time to power over, with Williams successful with his touchline conversion.
The action was not done there though with the fifth try of the match going the way of Sharks after a powerful run by Cipriani.
Picking the ball up, the fly-half darted his way past the advances of four Leicester players to cross in the corner, and then converted his own effort to make it 27-20 with ten minutes left.
Leicester Tigers looked for a way back into the game but despite pressuring the Sale line, could not find the breakthrough as they settled for the losing bonus point.
The scorers:
For Sale:
Tries: Neild, Edwards, Cipriani
Cons: Cipriani 3
Pens: Cipriani 2
For Leicester:
Tries: Bell, Goneva
Cons: Williams 2
Pens: Burns, Williams
Teams:
Sale: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Will Addison, 13 Sam James, 12 Sammy Tuitupou, 11 Nev Edwards, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 TJ Ioane, 7 David Seymour (captain), 6 Cameron Neild, 5 Jonathan Mills, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Vadim Cobilas, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Eifion Lewis-Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs, 17 Ross Harrison, 18 Brian Mujati, 19 Andrei Ostrikov, 20 Magnus Lund, 21 James Mitchell, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Mark Jennings.
Leicester: 15 Tommy Bell, 14 Mathew Tait, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Owen Williams, 11 Vereniki Goneva, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Jordan Crane (captain), 7 Tom Croft, 6 Laurence Pearce, 5 Graham Kitchener, 4 Dom Barrow, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Harry Thacker, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Greg Bateman, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Fraser Balmain, 19 Sebastian de Chaves, 20 Opeti Fonua, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 Peter Betham, 23 Telusa Veainu.
Referee: Thomas Foley
Assistant Referees: Andy Watson, Kelvin Stewart
TMO: Stuart Terheege
Northampton Saints 29-23 Harlequins
Jim Mallinder's men move into fourth place after claiming their seventh consecutive win against Harlequins and seriously dented Conor O'Shea's hopes of making the Premiership semifinals with four rounds to go.
Saints burst into life, scoring two first-half tries through Alex Waller and Courtney Lawes, but Harlequins went in 13-12 ahead at the break through Tim Visser's superb individual score and Ben Botica's boot.
Jack Clifford scored immediately after half-time to give the visitor hope, but Northampton motored away through Ben Foden's wonderfully worked team try and Mallinder's late score.
George North claimed the game's first kick-off and powered through two tackles, but Tim Wigglesworth blew in Harlequins' favour and the visitors were able to relieve early pressure.
George Pisi led the Northampton defensive line superbly, but the outstanding Visser span out of two tackles and made ten metres down the touchline, forcing an error from James Craig and gifting Botica an easy shot at goal, which he duly converted.
The home side roared back into contention a minute later and Luke Wallace was penalised from the kick-off. Despite initially signalling for the corner, Myler opted for the posts and badly miscued.
Saints were growing into the game though and a flat pass from Luther Burrell to Pisi got the home side moving up the touchline, before Myler's cut-out pass put Lawes into space and the lock fed Waller, who bundled over for a first try on 13 mins. Myler missed the touchline conversion.
Another breakdown penalty saw Botica pull three more back with 18 minutes gone.
But it was Northampton who looked the more threatening with ball-in-hand and when Myler kicked to the corner with 15 minutes remaining, the visitors found themselves in serious trouble.
Dickson exploited poor Harlequins' blindside defence to put England second row Lawes through a glaring hole and over the line. Myler slotted his first kick of the afternoon to give Saints a 12-6 advantage.
It was Visser then, whose moment of individual brilliance lit up the game with less than ten minutes in the half.
Taking another short ball from Care, he stepped Lawes before showing standing up Foden to go under the sticks. Botica converted to put the visitors 13-12 ahead at half-time.
The second half was a minute old when Grand Slam winner Clifford's showed his immense pace and power to race over from 35 metres. Botica converted to give Harlequins a 20-13 advantage.
Myler pegged O'Shea's men back with three points after James Horwill was penalised for not rolling away and Teimana Harrison in particular was threatening for Saints.
Another breakdown penalty gave Saints a line-out deep in the Harlequins' 22 and Myler was able to feed a rampaging Burrell, and once the ball was recycled, Myler went wide to Haywood.
The hooker fought off one tackle and off-loaded to Foden, who finished strongly in the corner. Myler converted.
Botica twice missed gilt-edged chances to give Harlequins a slender 23-22 lead with ten minutes remaining.
And Mallinder made him pay five minutes later when Ken Pisi's flick sent him over in the corner, though Botica did manage to salvage a losing bonus point with his final kick.
The scorers:
For Northampton:
Tries: Waller, Lawes, Foden, Mallinder
Cons: Myler 3
Pen: Myler
For Harlequins:
Tries: Visser, Clifford
Cons: Botica 2
Pens: Botica 3
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 George Pisi, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 George North, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson (captain), 8 Teimana Harrison, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Jamie Gibson, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 James Craig, 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Mikey Haywood, 1 Alex Waller.
Replacements: 16 Reece Marshall, 17 Campese Ma’afu, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Victor Matfield, 20 Sam Dickinson, 21 Kahn Fotuali’i, 22 JJ Harrahan, 23 Harry Mallinder.
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Charlie Walker, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Ben Botica, 9 Danny Care (captain), 8 Nick Easter, 7 Luke Wallace, 6 Jack Clifford, 5 James Horwill, 4 George Merrick, 3 Will Collier, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Dave Ward, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Mat Luamanu, 20 Chris Robshaw, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Matt Hopper, 23 Ross Chisholm.
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
Assistant Referees: Wayne Falla, Paul Burton
TMO: Graham Hughes
Newcastle Falcons 20-34 Wasps
Unbeaten in their last five encounters with the Falcons going into the match, visiting Wasps maintained their impressive recent form in all competitions although it was by far an easy ride.
Twice the Wasps stung their opponents with quick-fire back-to-back tries - George Smith and Dan Robson in the first half - and then Thomas Young and Robson after the break.
But each time Falcons managed to muster a response with Taione Vea going over in the first-half and George McGuigan doing likewise in the second 40.
But despite the hosts pushing hard for the final score, including Andy Goode stepping off the bench against his former club for his last game for Newcastle before retirement, they were unable to claw back the difference, with Young rounding off the afternoon late on for Wasps with his second.
Newcastle, who have now suffered five successive Premiership defeats, were the quicker out of the blocks with Wasps' ill-discipline handing their opponents a succession of penalties.
But the hosts were unable to capitalise with their set piece and were then dealt another blow when scrumhalf Michael Young was forced off through injury on his 100th appearance.
They did however get their first points on the board on 14 minutes when Mike Delany was successful with his penalty from just outside the 22.
Wasps looked to respond and great attacking place from Young, Jimmy Gopperth and Robson took them to within five metres of the Falcons line but the ball was eventually lost.
The momentum appeared to be shifting and a great break by Rob Miller again had Newcastle on the back foot, with Simon Hammersley desperately stopping the Wasps man but Gopperth drew matters level on 27 minutes with a penalty.
Elliot Daly then took the opportunity to stretch his legs with a searing run but the Falcons were eventually able to turn over possession.
But the visitors were not to be denied long and they deservedly took the lead on 26 minutes when Smith cut inside from the right before nipping in over the line for the game's first try - Gopperth's conversion making it 10-3.
Wasps had their tails up and suddenly it was 15-3 when Christian Wade set up the opportunity with a quick break before Robson picked up the ball before dummying one way and then dotting down as the visitors picked up their second try inside three minutes.
Newcastle looked to have hit back immediately when Marcus Watson stepped inside and beat two men before racing to the line from 22 metres out but the TMO wiped it off for an earlier infringement, much to the annoyance of the home crowd.
But they were not to be denied a second time right on the stroke of half-time as a period of sustained pressure eventually resulted in Vea powering over from a scrum, with Delany's conversion making it 15-10.
After a scrappy start to the second-half, Delaney's second penalty of the match reduced the difference to just two points.
But two tries in the space of two minutes put Wasps firmly back in the driving seat just short of the hour mark.
First it was the turn of Robson to dot down against the protective cushion of the post after Joe Launchbury had been held up agonisingly short following a scrum.
And after Gopperth missed what appeared to be a seemingly straight forward conversion from in front of the posts, the Wasps flyhalf made no mistake just minutes later to add the extras having played in Young with a dazzling break.
But again Falcons would not roll over and McGuigan seized upon Chris Harris' offload to rumble over on 65 minutes with Delany's extras taking them back to within a converted score.
With the crowd roaring them on, Watson almost got in for Wasps but Miller and Gopparth were back covering.
Former Wasp Goode was then introduced but he could do nothing as Young bundled over following a period of sustained pressure from the visitors.
The scorers:
For Newcastle:
Tries: Vea, McGuigan
Cons: Delany 2
Pens: Delany 2
For Wasps:
Tries: Smith, Robson 2, Young 2
Cons: Gopperth 3
Pen: Gopperth
Teams:
Newcastle: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Alex Tait, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Marcus Watson, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Michael Young, 8 Nili Latu, 7 Will Welch (captain), 6 Mark Wilson, 5 Sean Robinson, 4 Calum Green, 3 Taione Vea, 2 George McGuigan, 1 Rob Vickers.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Alex Rogers, 18 Mike Cusack, 19 Ally Hogg, 20 Sinoti Sinoti, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Andy Goode, 23 Belisario Agulla.
Wasps: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Siale Piutau, 11 Josh Bassett, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Sam Jones, 7 George Smith, 6 Thomas Young, 5 Kearnan Myall, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 2 Ashley Johnson, 1 Matt Mullan (captain).
Replacements: 16 Carlo Festuccia, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 James Cannon, 20 Nathan Hughes, 21 Craig Hampson, 22 Ruaridh Jackson, 23 Brendan Macken.
Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant Referees: Roger Baileff, Roy Maybank
TMO: David Rose
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