Saffa-laden Sarries down Harlequins
30 Sep 2012
Keo.co.za wraps up this weekend’s European action.
In the English Premiership, Saracens returned to winning ways by downing Harlequins 18-16 at The Stoop. It was the defending champions’ first loss of the campaign.
Sarries, who suffered a shock defeat to Exeter Chiefs last weekend, edged the win thanks to flyhalf Owen Farrell, who kicked all the points via six penalties. Seven South African-born players featured in the victors’ match-day squad (inside centre Brad Barritt, hooker Schalk Brits, tighthead prop Petrus du Plessis, lock Alistair Hargreaves, No 8 Ernst Joubert, reserve hooker John Smit and replacement prop Matt Stevens).
In other results, Northampton Saints remained the only unbeaten team in the league as they eased to a 24-6 win over the London Wasps at Franklin’s Garden. Bath downed the Sale Sharks 31-10 at the Rec, while the Leicester Tigers smashed Exeter 30-6 at Welford Road.
In the French Top 14, Toulouse ended Toulon’s winning streak as they achieved a 32-9 victory at the Stade Ernest Wallon.
Toulon were victorious during their opening six games, but were taught a lesson by the defending champions, who cruised to victory with New Zealand flyhalf Luke McAlister grabbing a 27-point haul via a try, six penalties and two conversions. Lock Yoann Maestri also crossed the chalk.
In other results, Stade Francais continued their nightmare campaign with a 28-25 loss to Clermont. New boys Grenoble handed Racing Metro a 27-13 defeat, while Agen achieved their third consecutive win against Bordeaux (19-15).
In the Pro12, Ulster powered to the top of the league after their 48-19 thrashing of the Cardiff Blues at Arms Park.
The Northern Irish club scored seven tries, with No 8 Nick Williams and wing Tommy Bowe securing a brace each. Ulster are the only undefeated team on the log.
In other results, Leinster and Munster both fell to Connact (34-6) and the Ospreys (30-15) respectively. Treviso shocked former table toppers Scarlets with a 22-20 win at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo.
ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP
Harlequins 16 Saracens 18
London Welsh 25 Gloucester 31
Bath 31 Sale Sharks 10
Leicester Tigers 30 Exeter Chiefs 8
Northampton Saints 24 London Wasps 6
Worcester Warriors 35 London Irish 11
FRENCH TOP 14:
Agen 19 Bordeaux 15
Grenoble 27 Racing Metro 13
Montpellier 19 Castres 12
Perpignan 15 Mont-de-Marsan 6
Toulouse 32 Toulon 9
Clermont Auvergne 28 Stade Français 25
Biarritz 15 Bayonne 16
PRO12:
Treviso 22 Scarlets 20
Ospreys 30 Munster 15
Newport Gwent Dragons 32 Edinburgh 12
Cardiff Blues 19 Ulster 48
Glasgow 22 Zebre 19
Connacht 34 Leinster 6
7 Comments
30 Sep 2012, 19:22 pm
Schalk Brits….what a player!
30 Sep 2012, 19:37 pm
G10 – and to think, if he just stayed in RSA, he would be starting now…
30 Sep 2012, 19:41 pm
@BULLET-2: A real pity….very special player
30 Sep 2012, 19:41 pm
toulon nailed bigtime, mcallister on form compared to a wet frenchshark.
dont think bakkies played, if he did it was as a sub.
gurthro steenkamp, gurthro steenkamp, gurthro steenkamp…
30 Sep 2012, 19:43 pm
G10 – even if he was there as an impact player. I would love to see him & alberts running onto the park with 30 to go.
I would think that Alberts will make way for Schalk.
30 Sep 2012, 19:58 pm
@BULLET-5:
Lets hope Schalk plays again.
1 Oct 2012, 05:54 am
Schalk Britz – a great talent wasted by Boks
sidestepping drop kicking hooker
remember him completely dominating a CC game on his own
Chilli, Maku, Tian, Burden, Strauss dont come close
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.