Premiership round-up: Saints run riot against sorry Welsh to go top

Northampton Saints 43-14 London Welsh

Northampton Saints moved two points ahead at the summit of the Aviva Premiership, cruising to a comfortbale victory against a despondent London Welsh.

The stark contrasts between the two sides - Saints top the League with seven wins while Welsh sit bottom with nine defeats from nine matches - could not have been made any clearer than this dominant display from a ruthless Northampton side.

The hosts’ game plan was thrown into disarray after four minutes when Calum Clark went over to set the tone for what would prove to be another disastrous afternoon for the division’s whipping boys.

Further scores from Stephen Myler and Samu Manoa opened up a 19-0 lead at the break and the visitors showed no signs of relenting after the restart.

Two tries in five minutes from Jamie Elliot and Ben Foden stretched the Saints’ advantage before James Wilson crossed over to re-establish their 31 point lead, after Taione Vea’s score had briefly reduced the deficit for the flailing hosts.

And Ben Nutley completed the rout ten minutes from time before Nic Reynolds crossed over for a late consolation.

Newcastle Falcons 13-18 Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks edged an evenly-contested match against Newcastle Falcons, with a late Johnny Leota try enough to clinch victory at Kingston Park.

The Falcons made an explosive start as Juan Socino capitalised on the host’s early pressure but Daniel Braid’s score reduced the deficit to two points.

Danny Cipriani’s inconsistent kicking meant the hosts held a lead at the break but Leota’s 68th minute try reversed the scoreline, meaning the Sharks climb into the top six.  

London Irish 9-21 Gloucester Rugby

Gloucester Rugby secured their fourth win of the season with an error-ridden victory against London Irish at the Madejski Stadium.

Two Greig Laidlaw penalties ensured a 6-0 lead at the interval, before a Henry Purdy try seven minutes after the restart gave the visitors control against an out-of-sorts Irish outfit.

Accurate kicking from Shane Geraghty reduced the deficit to 9-14 with only ten minutes remaining, but a blistering finish from Gloucester saw them run out worthy winners with a Steve McColl score settling the contest.