Pixel8 Photos

LEICESTER SNEAK FIRST WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 21:24:00 +0000

Leicester sneaked their first Premiership win of the season in a scrappy encounter at Newcastle.

Ed Slater crossed in the corner for Tigers, after Jimmy Gopperth and Billy Twelvetrees exchanged penalties, before Greg Goosen hit back for the hosts.

James Hudson's try put Falcons ahead after the break but Julian Salvi's try wrestled the lead back for the Tigers.

Luke Fielden won the foot race to score the hosts' third before Steve Mafi went over for the decisive try at the end.

The defeat leaves the Falcons floundering at the bottom of the table and extends their losing Premiership run to 10 games - an unwanted club record.

The two teams were evenly matched in the first half but Twelvetrees misfired with the boot three times to allow the hosts to stay in touch.

Both sides spurned good attacking ball but Slater's try was well worked as the Tigers' quick ruck ball stretched the Falcons' defence right and then left.

With the score at 8-6 to the visitors, Goosen sped through after an equally well-executed move by Newcastle's midfield.

Leicester converted a penalty before half time to tie the scores at 11-11 but Twelvetrees was off target once more after the break and was made to pay when Hudson powered over from short range and Gopperth added the extras.

Leicester dug deep and worked flanker Salvi over the line but Twelvetrees, faced with an elementary conversion, rattled the posts to leave Newcastle 18-16 ahead.

The outside centre made amends on the hour mark with a 22m penalty before the hosts hit back and earned good ground from some fizzing phases and were rewarded with the lead from Gopperth's third penalty.

Fielden narrowly beat George Ford to touch down Gopperth's kick to give Falcons a 26-22 lead but the touchline conversion missed.

Leicester came again and inched their way to the Falcons' line before putting Mafi over in the corner but Twelvetrees missed the conversion.

One point behind and with seconds remaining the hosts manoeuvred Gopperth into position for a drop-goal but the chance was spurned with a pass above his head.

Photos from the Falcons vs. Tigers are now online HERE.

LATE PENALTY CLINCHES IRISH WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 21:22:00 +0000

A late Tom Homer penalty clinched a win for London Irish at Northampton.

A turgid first half saw two penalties from Ryan Lamb give Saints a slim lead with Homer responding for Irish.

Chris Hala'ufia brought the game to life when he cut through the middle of Northampton's defence, allowing Nick Kennedy to go over in the corner.

The Exiles' pack eventually conceded a penalty try after bringing down the scrum once too often but Homer stepped up to deny Saints.

Photos from Franklin's Gardens can be viewed online HERE.

EXETER SUFFER FIRST DEFEAT

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 21:20:00 +0000

Exeter fell to a first Premiership defeat of the season despite a late rally at Bath.

Bath centre Dan Hipkiss lit up a scrappy first half when he sprinted over from 50 metres.

Bath looked to have made sure of the win when Nathan Catt was adjudged to have touched down after video replays.

But courageous Exeter never gave up and forced a penalty try in the dying seconds to claim a point and leave the nervy hosts hanging on for the whistle.

Photos from Bath vs. Exeter can be viewed online HERE.

BEARS DRAW HANDS LANCS TITLE

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 18:19:00 +0000

Warwickshire had to settle for second place in the Championship as they could only draw with relegated Hampshire.

Going into the final day as favourites to lift their first title since 2004, Warwickshire were pipped by Lancashire, who beat Somerset by eight wickets.

Resuming on 43-3, Neil McKenzie (115 no) and Michael Carberry (111) helped Hampshire turn around a 126-run deficit at the start of play to close on 327-7.

Chris Metters (5-115) took the second five-wicket haul of his career.

Warwickshire began the day very much in the driving seat but their main obstacle became McKenzie and Carberry.

The pair, who combined in a record-breaking partnership of 523 against Yorkshire last month, shared a stand of 182 for the fourth wicket.

Carberry's 168-ball innings was finally ended when he was trapped lbw by Chris Woakes, while James Vince hit a six and five fours in making 33.

Sean Ervine joined McKenzie to frustrate Warwickshire and the latter moved to his third Championship hundred of the season after tea from 211 balls.

Metters removed Ervine and Michael Bates in successive balls to reduce the hosts from 316-5 to 316-7, but it was too little too late and the captains shook hands on a draw with Hampshire 158 runs ahead.

Photos from the final day at the Rose Bowl can be viewed online HERE.

DURHAM END SEASON WITH WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 18:17:00 +0000

Durham completed their County Championship campaign with victory over Worcestershire by 151 runs.

The visitors, whose Division One survival was assured on Thursday, began the final day at Chester-le-Street on 65-2, needing 300 more to win.

But spinners Ian Blackwell (3-67) and Scott Borthwick (3-25) shared six of the eight wickets to fall as Worcestershire were all out for 213.

Durham are likely to finish third in the table, with Worcestershire seventh.

Photos from day four at Chester-le-Street are now online HERE.

WARWICKSHIRE NEAR TITLE

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:41:00 +0000

Warwickshire took three quick second innings wickets to close in on the Championship title after relegating Hampshire by making them follow on.

Hampshire began day three at The Rose Bowl on 57-0, knowing that they needed five batting points and then had to win to stand a chance of beating the drop.

But they picked up only three in being bowled out for 324, despite Liam Dawson carrying his bat for an unbeaten 152.

Hampshire closed on 43-3 second time around, still 126 runs behind.

It leaves Warwickshire in sight of a first County Championship title since 2004, but, with Lancashire in charge of their clash with Somerset, it is likely they will need to polish Hampshire off and win the game to claim the trophy.

Their advantage might have been even more clear-cut had it not been for the efforts of Dawson, whose century was only the third of his first-class career.

But Warwickshire kept plugging away to enforce the follow-on, with on-loan paceman Chris Wright and left-arm spinner Chris Metters taking three wickets each.

Boyd Rankin soon removed Dawson for 17 in Hampshire's second innings, before Metters struck a potentially crucial blow by dismissing Jimmy Adams and nightwatchman James Tomlinson in successive balls.

Photos from day three at the Rose Bowl can be seen online HERE.

CENTURIONS BOOST BEARS TITLE HOPES

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:40:00 +0000

Varun Chopra and Shivnarine Chanderpaul both hit centuries as title-chasing Warwickshire dominated day one against relegation-threatened Hampshire.

The pair put on 188 for the third wicket before Chopra fell just before the close for 109.

But Chanderpaul will resume on 107, his third ton in seven innings for the Bears, with his side 296-3.

Hampshire, who must win to stand a chance of beating the drop, were not helped by dropping five catches.

Photos from day one at the Rose Bowl can be viewed online HERE.

WORCESTER PACEMEN PUT WIND UP DURHAM

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:38:00 +0000

Worcestershire pacemen Alan Richardson and Kemal Roach took the honours as they bowled their side to within sight of safety at windy Chester-le-Street.

Richardson and Roach took three wickets apiece as Durham were bowled out for 264, earning three of the eight points they need to be sure of staying up.

Ex-skipper Will Smith top scored with 66 for title outsiders Durham, who then had Worcestershire 21-1 at the close.

But Durham's hopes are fading after missing out on three batting points.

They know that, if Warwickshire, 296-3 overnight, pick up a sixth bonus point from their game with Hampshire at The Rose Bowl on Tuesday, Durham's bid for a third title in four years will officially be over.

Durham went into their final game 15 points adrift of leaders Warwickshire. Victories for either the Bears or Lancashire, struggling against Somerset at Taunton, would put the 2008 and 2009 champions out of the running.

On a gale-torn day when it was so windy that the umpires allowed play to proceed without any bails on the stumps, Worcestershire have already got the one point they needed to climb out of the drop zone and relegate Yorkshire.

Photos from day one at Chester-le-Street are now online HERE.

WASPS STING TIGERS

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:02:00 +0000

Young winger Christian Wade ran in a hat-trick to help Wasps come from behind to beat Leicester at Adams Park.

Visiting centre Billy Twelvetrees was responsible for all the Tigers' 29 points with two tries, which he converted himself, and five penalties, but still ended up on the losing side.

Nic Berry got Wasps' other try, while Nicky Robinson and Ryan Davies shared their other points with the boot.

Leicester have now started the new season with back-to-back defeats.

But Twelvetrees' individual contribution, completed with a late penalty, at least secured a losing bonus point.

Leicester, beaten at home by Exeter last weekend, continue to function under the handicap of being without 11 players on World Cup duty, and five out injured.

As for Wasps, having beaten reigning champions Saracens at Twickenham last weekend, even allowing for the current Premiership imbalance caused by events out in New Zealand, a second straight win made it a dream start for new rugby director Dai Young.

The hosts fielded five home debutants in Hugo Southwell, Chris Bell, Robinson, Marco Wentzel, Jonathan Poff and Robinson. But scrum-half Charlie Davies failed a fitness-test an hour before kick-off and was replaced by Berry.

The weakened Tigers made a lively start and were already 6-3 up from an exchange of early penalties when Twelvetrees finished a neat passing sequence by scoring on the right.

But Wasps were rewarded for enterprising rugby on 27 minutes when Southwell broke out from deep, Wade's pace on the right left two would-be tacklers trailing, and his pass inside sent Berry scooting clear to score.

Wade then scored a fine try of his own on 35 minutes after Tigers old boy Tom Varndell had done the damage up the left.

Back stormed Leicester, fly-half George Ford setting up Twelvetrees to score by the posts. And Robinson thought he had levelled on the stroke of half-time, but his penalty from wide right struck the near post and bounced wide.

Twelvetrees continued his points-fest five minutes after the break with a penalty, but Wasps replied with one of the tries of the season so far.

There seemed no more than moderate danger when Southwell passed to Wade deep inside their own half. But the young wing twice shaped to pass only to accelerate into the Tigers half and swerve outside two challengers for a memorable score.

Robinson's conversion hit the post - his fourth failure from seven shots at goal - and he limped out of the game seconds later, replaced by Davis, who fired his team with his first penalty.

The ruthless Twelvetrees regained the lead for Leicester with a 64th-minute penalty after Wasps went offside in front of their posts.

But Davis kept the see-saw effect alive, scoring on 69 minutes, the fifth time the lead changed hands. And, when Wade darted behind two defenders to win a race for a box-kick from Berry, to complete a treble in only the former Wasps academy player's sixth first-team game, victory was secured.

Photos from Wasps win at Adams Park are now online HERE.

DE BRUYN TON KEEPS SURREY ALIVE

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:25:00 +0000

A century from Zander de Bruyn has kept alive Surrey's hopes of a return to the County Championship's top flight after a three-year absence.

The South African made exactly 100 as the visitors, who were struggling on 128-6, were dismissed for 286 in their second innings.

Darren Masters (6-93) excelled with ball as Essex were left a victory target of 349.

The hosts closed on 142-5, still needing 207 more runs to win.

SUSSEX ON TOP AT WORCESTER

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:23:00 +0000

Joe Gatting hit his first Championship century to steer Sussex into a winning position in their clash with relegation rivals Worcestershire at New Road.

After bowling out the home side, 199-7 overnight, for 222, Sussex opted not to enforce the follow-on.

But the visitors then started piling up a big lead, reaching 267-4 before rain had the final say.

Gatting was still there at the close on 116, to bolster a dogged 60 earlier from Sussex opener Ed Joyce.

Photos are now online from today's match at New Road HERE.

BEARS HOME IN ON VICTORY

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:20:00 +0000

Championship-chasing Warwickshire are homing in on a vital victory at Edgbaston after forcing Nottinghamshire to follow on at Edgbaston.

After being bowled out by the fired-up Bears for 238, Chris Woakes taking 4-91, Notts then dismally limped to 136-6 by the close, still 200 runs adrift.

Boyd Rankin and on-loan Essex paceman Chris Wright shared the wickets as Warwickshire took control.

Alex Hales top scored with 72 in Notts' first innings and is still there on 69.

The only other Notts batsmen to emerge with any credit were Darren Bravo, who made 70 and 28, and Andre Adams, who chipped in with 34 further down the order.

Photos from day three at Edgbaston can be viewed online HERE.

SURREY ON TOP

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:16:00 +0000

Surrey go into day three with a 166-run lead over Essex, with six wickets remaining in their second innings.

Essex, who began the day on 6-0, were dismissed for 253, despite a stand of 100 between Billy Godleman (43) and Tom Westley (57).

Meaker (5-66) took the last five wickets to fall, including that of Ryan ten Doeschate (56).

Surrey reached 104-4 by the close in their second innings, with Zander de Bruyn unbeaten on 40.

Photos from day two at Chelmsford are now online HERE.

PANESAR PUTS SUSSEX IN CONTROL

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:12:00 +0000

Worcestershire go into day three needing 27 runs to avoid following on against Sussex after running into an in-form Monty Panesar at New Road.

After resuming on 289-8, Sussex squeezed another two batting points as their tail continued to wag before being bowled out for 375.

But Panesar then got to work, bowling 24 overs unchanged to take 4-45 as Worcestershire closed on 199-7.

Alexei Kervezee could hold the key for the home side, still there on 52.

Photos from day two at New Road can be seen online HERE.

TROUGHTON & CLARKE HIT TONS

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:10:00 +0000

Warwickshire skipper Jim Troughton and Rikki Clarke followed Ian Westwood's example by hitting centuries against Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston.

Resuming on 145, with the Bears on 235-3, Westwood went on to make 171.

But, having picked up only three batting points, Troughton (151) and Clarke (126) shared a 203-run sixth-wicket stand as the home side declared on 574-7.

Alex Hales made a positive response for the reigning champions, still there on 51, as Notts closed on 86-1.

Coming on the back of a second-ball dismissal on his international debut for England in the Twenty20 international against India a week ago, Hales has more of a platform to show off his talents to the Test selectors on day three.

But, against a fired-up Bears attack scenting Warwickshire's seventh County Championship title - and their first in seven summers - Notts will resume on day three still 299 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.

Photos from day two at Edgbaston can be viewed online HERE.

WESTWOOD DOMINATES FOR WARWICKS

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:37:00 +0000

Ian Westwood hit an unbeaten 144 as title-chasing Warwickshire ended day one of their clash with Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston in a handy position.

The Bears looked in potential trouble after slipping to 114-3 on a weather-affected day.

But Westwood, who hit 20 fours, dominated a unbroken stand of 121 for the fourth wicket with Jim Troughton (33 not out) as they closed on 235-3.

Warwickshire need eight points from the game to leapfrog leaders Durham.

Photos from day one at Edgbaston are now online HERE.

SURREY RESCUED BY JORDAN KNOCK

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:34:00 +0000

Chris Jordan hit a career-best 71 to help promotion-chasing Surrey pick up three batting points on day one of their clash with Essex at Chelmsford.

Surrey, who must win their final two games to stand a realistic chance of pipping Northants to promotion, were deep in trouble on 94-5.

But Jason Roy (43) and Gareth Batty (49) began the recovery before Jordan and Stuart Meaker (38) saw them to 315.

Graham Napier took a career-best 6-53 for Essex, who closed on 6-0.

Photos from day one at Chelmsford can be viewed online HERE.

ENGLAND EDGE TOWARDS QUALIFICATION

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:33:00 +0000

England need only a point in Montenegro next month to qualify for Euro 2012 after an unconvincing victory against Wales at Wembley.

Ashley Young's first-half goal allowed Fabio Capello's side to build on Friday's win in Bulgaria and move closer to securing a place in Poland and Ukraine next summer - but this was not a performance to cause any concern among Europe's elite.

Wales, without the suspended Craig Bellamy and David Vaughan, deserved a point and should have claimed it, only for substitute Robert Earnshaw to miss an open goal with 13 minutes left.

It would have been deserved reward for Gary Speed's improving Wales against an off-colour England, who at least had the comfort of their first win at Wembley for more than a year.

And it left Capello knowing a draw in Podgorica in England's final qualifier will be enough to ensure he ends his time in charge at a major tournament, after his side moved six points clear of Montenegro at the top of Group G.

The Italian, however, will surely not be satisfied with this performance. The width, movement and threat on show against an admittedly poor Bulgaria was missing at Wembley and Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey was barely troubled apart from Young's goal.

Frank Lampard made a swift return in place of Scott Parker after his exclusion in Bulgaria, but he was anonymous - although he was not alone in that - and substituted late on.

Capello made two changes from the team that won so impressively in Sofia on Friday, with Lampard returning in place of Scott Parker and James Milner replacing Theo Walcott, who was suffering from a slight hamstring problem.

Speed promised a more resilient and organised display from Wales after a timid slide to defeat in Cardiff in March - and it was duly delivered despite England's interval advantage.

Wales had survived in some comfort, despite John Terry heading wide and Stewart Downing volleying off target, before Young put England ahead 10 minutes before half-time.

Downing, on one of the few occasions when England were able to get in behind Wales, pulled the ball back for Young to beat Hennessey emphatically at the near post.

If England's fans thought this would be the signal for Capello's side to confirm their authority, they were to be proved wrong as Wales grew in confidence as the second half progressed and emerged as the better side for spells.

And how they will regret the missed opportunity to secure a point they deserved with that dreadful miss from Earnshaw after 77 minutes. He only needed to apply the finishing touch to Darcy Blake's knockdown but somehow managed to blaze his finish over the top of an open goal from five yards.

The entire Welsh bench, led by Speed, was up in celebration and then down in despair at the realisation that Earnshaw had contrived to miss the game's best chance.

The striker attempted to make amends with a speculative long-range effort moments later - but to no avail as England closed out the win.

Photos from the win at Wembley Stadium can be viewed online HERE.

SAINTS GRAB LATE WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 17:49:00 +0000

Ryan Lamb struck a late penalty on his Northampton debut to beat his old club Gloucester in a breathlessly dramatic finale at Franklin's Gardens.

Freddie Burns looked to have completed a late comeback for Gloucester when he dropped a goal four minutes from time.

Gloucester had been 23-13 down with 20 minutes left, only to go in front after Charlie Sharples' try, in between a penalty and that drop goal from Burns.

But Lamb had the final word, keeping his nerve from 45 yards out.

Northampton had earlier scored first-half tries through number eight Phil Dowson and new boy Martin Roberts, their other points coming from Stephen Myler, who kicked three penalties and two conversions for a 13-point haul.

Centre Jonny May ran in Gloucester's first-half try, converted by winger James Simpson-Daniel, their other points coming from the boot of stand-off Tim Taylor, who landed two penalties before the break.

Both sides were significantly depleted by international call-ups

Northampton had five new signings making their debut in the clash which pitched together the two sides that finished third and fourth in last season's Premiership.

Wing Noah Cato, centre Tom May, scrum-half Roberts and lock Samu Manoa all took their bow for Saints, along with prop Paul Doran-Jones, who made his debut against the club he left four months ago.

Gloucester, led by stand-in captain Peter Buxton from the back row, had prop Dario Chistolini making his first appearance for the Cherry and Whites after his summer move from Italian side Petrarca.

Photos from Northampton Saints last gasp win can be viewed online HERE.

BATH KICK-OFF WITH A WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 23:16:00 +0000

Bath fly-half Sam Vesty kicked 17 points as they secured a comfortable Premiership win over Newcastle on the opening day of the season.

The visitors went ahead after seven minutes through Matt Carraro's try.

Vesty converted, added a drop-goal and a penalty as Jimmy Gopperth landed three first-half penalties for Falcons.

Three unanswered Bath penalties after the break reflected their domination of a laboured Newcastle side that struggled to create opportunities.

Bath have now gone unbeaten at Kingston Park in eight visits and their run of victories in the North East never looked in doubt.

The visiting pack were dominant and, coupled with defensive errors by Falcons, led to Vesty's carving run to put his winger in under the posts early on.

Gopperth's kick out of hand led to a 12th-minute penalty that got the hosts off the mark but three minutes on Vesty landed a 30 metre drop-goal after Ben Williams punched a hole in midfield.

Newcastle fought their way back to make it 10-6 with 17 minutes gone.

Both stand-offs missed subsequent shots at goal before Vesty landed again just after the half hour.

Alex Tait and Chris Pilgrim were involved in a promising Newcastle attack but had to settle for another three points with half time beckoning.

Gopperth, normally so reliable with the boot, missed again from 50 metres in the dying moments of the half.

After the break it was largely one-way traffic as Newcastle conceded multiple penalties at the breakdown.

There was little to celebrate for the meagre home crowd and the performance leaves Falcons head coach Alan Tait with plenty to ponder ahead of the long journey to Exeter next weekend.

Photos of Bath's win against the Falcons can be viewed online HERE.

CHAMPS SARACENS START WITH DEFEAT

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 23:14:00 +0000

Premiership champions Saracens began the defence of their title with a defeat by Wasps that marks a first loss under director of rugby Mark McCall.

Both sides exchanged early penalties before Wasps' flying wing Christian Wade crossed for the opening try.

Wasps debutant fly-half Nick Robinson converted, adding a penalty to give them a fully-deserved half-time lead.

Charlie Hodgson added two penalties for Sarries after the break but Tom Varndell's score sealed Wasps' victory.

It was not a happy return to Twickenham for Saracens but the defeat makes them the ninth defending champions in 11 years to lose on the opening day.

It started well enough with Owen Farrell, the young hero of last season's final, firing over an early brace of penalties.

But Wasps, with five debutants taking the field, looked barely recognisable from the side that suffered a torrid campaign last season as Robinson got them on the scoreboard with the boot.

A sweeping move by Wasps put Wade away for his try after swift handling by Riki Flutey and Chris Bell.

Farrell and Robinson kicked another penalty apiece as Wasps held a slender lead at the break.

Sarries' young stand-off Farrell missed a shot at goal after the break and he was replaced on 50 minutes by Hodgson.

The England man soon brought his side to within one point and then gave them a 15-13 lead with his second shot at goal after Carlos Nieto's scrummaging earned a penalty.

But just as the champions were building momentum two missed tackles allowed Varndell to go in under the posts and make Robinson's conversion a certainty.

Hodgson had a late chance to reduce the arrears further but hooked his kick wide.

Photos from London Wasps win against Saracens can be viewed online HERE.

WORCESTER RETURN WITH WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 23:10:00 +0000

Promoted Worcester marked their return to the Premiership with a deserved opening day win over Sale at Sixways.

The Warriors had to come from behind, having trailed 6-0 just before the break following an early penalty and a drop goal from Nick MacLeod.

But, in first-half stoppage time, Miles Benjamin scored in the corner and a second-half penalty try did the job.

Two more MacLeod penalties kept Sale in the hunt, but Andy Goode kicked two conversions and a penalty of his own.

Goode did miss three other penalty opportunities, but Worcester hung on to win a game that they should have won more comfortably.

Worcester handed debuts to three players, with South Africa-born Errie Claassens at full-back, Shaun Perry at scrum-half and James Percival in the second row.

Much-changed Sale had seven new faces in their starting line-up, five of them in the pack.

Moldovan prop Vadim Cobilas, hooker Joe Ward, number eight Mark Easter and locks Fraser McKenzie and Kearnan Myall all took their bow, along with centre Andrew Higgins and winger Joaquin Tuculet.

After Macleod's early penalty put the visitors ahead, Sale were dealt a blow when full-back Rob Miller was the victim of a heavy tackle, which, after lengthy treatment, caused him to be led off.

Against the run of play, after two failed Goode penalty attempts, Sale had the chance to extend their lead, only for Macleod's 45-metre touchline attempt fell narrowly short. But the Sharks stand-off was then on target with a simple drop-goal to give his side a 6-0 lead.

On the stroke of half-time, however, Worcester scored their first try back in the Premiership.

A long pass was picked up by the elusive Claassens, who evaded Joe Ward's tackle to send winger Benjamin, last season's top try scorer, over in the corner.

Goode converted with a splendid kick to give his side a deserved 7-6 interval lead beforte missing with a third penalty attempt two minutes after the restart.

But, after the visitors had been battered at a succession of five-metre scrums, conceding numerous penalties, eventually referee David Rose had no option but to award a penalty try which Goode converted.

Sale reduced the arrears when MacLeod kicked a penalty but soon afterwards missed with another which would have placed the Warriors under greater pressure going into the final quarter.

Worcester then lost Alex Grove to the sin-bin and, moments later, a late tackle gave MacLeod another chance but he again pushed his kick wide.

Those two misses proved costly when Goode extended Worcester's lead with his first penalty with eight minutes to go - and, although MacLeod did land a third kick, it was too late for the visitors.

Photos from the Sixways Stadium can be viewed online HERE.

EXETER RECORD SHOCK WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 23:06:00 +0000

Exeter recorded a famous win over weakened Leicester in a pulsating Premiership encounter at Welford Road.

Sireli Naqelevuki went in for the Chiefs in the opening minute before Thomas Waldrom answered with a try for the hosts two minutes later.

Niall Morris put Tigers ahead but Tom Johnson's score and eight points from Ignacio Mieres kept Exeter ahead.

Matt Jess crossed after the break, before a second try for Morris, but the visitors clung on for victory.

The Chiefs have now beaten the Tigers twice this year, following their LV= Cup win in January.

But Leicester, missing 11 players on World Cup duty, were uncharacteristically error-strewn in defence right from the off as they suffered an opening-day defeat for the third season running.

It was the worst possible start for the hosts as Naqelevuki's try and the conversion by the impressive Ignacio Mieres left them a score down.

But Waldrom's reply, converted by Billy Twelvetrees, was followed by a drop-goal by Tigers' teenage fly-half George Ford.

Mieres hit a penalty before Morris, in as a late replacement for the injured Mathew Tait to play his first game for Leicester since his summer move from Heineken Cup holders Leinster, went in for a debut try.

The hosts could not convert but, five minutes later, Mieres was again on target, after Johnson touched down, and the Argentine put the Devon men ahead with two more penalties up to half-time.

Twelvetrees made it 23-18 in the second half before more defensive errors allowed Jess to score and, with the conversion, Leicester were suddenly 12 points down.

Tigers added a penalty and Morris got his second try but the introduction of Gareth Steenson off the Exeter bench set up a dramatic finish.

The replacement stand-off had three golden chances to put Exeter out of site but fluffed the trio of place kicks.

The home side rallied and twice Ford went for the winning drop-goal in the closing minutes but the England Under-20s stand-off pushed both attempts wide.

Photos from Exeter's win at Welford Road are now online HERE.

QUINS KICK TO GLORY

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 22:58:00 +0000

Harlequins fly-half Nick Evans kicked seven from seven to secure a first win of the new Premiership season.

James Johnston opened the scoring for Quins with the only try of the first half as Tom Homer and Evans added two penalties each for their sides.

Topsy Ojo scored twice for London Irish after the break but a superb finish by Ugo Monye and eight points from Evans's boot put Quins back in charge.

With three minutes left Homer slotted a kick to secure the losing bonus point.

The opening try at Twickenham came on 16 minutes after the first meaningful line break by George Lowe, from an inside ball, eventually saw Johnston barge over close to the posts to make Evans' conversion a certainty.

Joe Marler was sin-binned for repeat offences at the breakdown, Homer's resulting kick pulled the score back to 10-6, but Quins coped well with the disadvantage and Monye appeared on for a certain try - only to lose the ball in the tackle by Paul Hodgson.

Keiran Roche spurned a great chance for Irish, Marler returned but then disaster struck for Harlequins when Tom Guest was carried from the field with a serious arm injury on the stroke of half-time.

The Exiles struck first after the interval when a loose kick saw Dan Bowden put Ojo away and Homer added the extras to square the scores at 13-13.

Quins looked on the brink of scoring a sensational try after Evans's break saw Brown and George Lowe create a three-on-one only for Johnston to take the hit and knock on.

The Challenge Cup winners made it 16-13 through Evans as they upped their tempo and looked to offload.

But Irish hit back with a sublime score from the kick-off when a poor restart from Quins saw Jonathon Joseph and Marland Yarde create breaks before the ball went wide and Alex Gray, fresh on the field, threw the telling inside pass to put Ojo over.

After Homer missed the kick Evans put his side back in front with a penalty, and Monye then made up for his earlier miss with a superb finish in the left corner.

Evans and Homer exchanged penalties before Homer's kick three minutes from time secured a losing bonus point for Irish.

Photos from the first game of the double header at Twickenham can be viewed online HERE.

DOVER DOWN CHELMSFORD

noreply@blogger.com (Pixel8 Photos) — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 22:56:00 +0000

Dover Athletic got back to winning ways in Blue Square Bet South with a 3-2 win at Chelmsford City on Saturday afternoon.

Harry Baker (pictured) opened the scoring inside two minutes when he collected a long-throw from keeper Mikuael Ruiz and jinked forward down the left before firing low past Clarets keeper Stuart Searle.

However the hosts were awarded a penalty just four minutes later after a trip by Shane Huke in the box and Dave Rainford lashed the ball down the middle to make it 1-1.

The host piled on the pressure but on 12 minutes George Purcell put the visitors ahead when he latched onto a long ball forward, held off Kenny Clark and lobbed the onrushing Searle.

The hosts almost struck back immediately with an acrobatic overhead kick but Sam Cutler saw a shot blocked at the other end and the Whites withstood some heavy pressure before the half-time whistle.

Six minutes after the interval Cliff Akurang headed against the outside of the post while Billy Bricknell went close from a Purcell cross at the other end.

Baker went close to his second 20 minutes from time with a low shot but seconds later it was 3-1 when Searle failed to hold a shot and Bricknell's pressure saw Clark turn the rebound into his own net.

Akurang and Rainford went close to reducing the arrears but the hosts had the perfect chance to pull one back in the final minute with a spot-kick after an apparent pull in the box, only for Ruiz to produce a fine save from Rainford's strike.

The hosts did find the net from the subsequent corner when a Clark header went in off the post but the Whites held on to secure their first win in five games.

Photos from Melbourne Park are online HERE.