Aviva Premiership round-up: Newcastle snatch win, Harlequins lose and Saracens cruise

Bath 32-33 Newcastle

Newcastle shrugged off the jet lag of their North American mission last weekend to snatch a rare league victory in a match of wildly swinging fortunes at the Recreation Ground.

The visitors - who had lost to Saracens in Philadelphia last Sunday - raced into a 19-nil lead in the first half with tries by scrum-half Sonatane Takulua, prop Rob Vickers and right wing DTH van der Merwe.

But Bath came back with 32 unanswered points of their own through tries by stand-in full-back Matt Banahan, wing Semesa Rokoduguni, lock Charlie Ewels and centre Jonathan Joseph.

Newcastle had the last word though. Not content with a bonus point try from Chris Harris and a losing bonus point, they surged back to seize the win with a fifth try from flanker Mark Wilson. Joel nervelessly Hodgson converted both.

Harlequins 28-31 Leicester

Marcus Smith withstood a battering from Leicester before the England prospect was forced off during the decisive phase of a chaotic Aviva Premiership clash that ended in a 31-28 defeat for Harlequins.

England coach Eddie Jones watched from the stands at Twickenham Stoop as the 18-year-old fly-half who he declared would be polishing George Ford's boot during the coming three-day training camp in Oxford produced another assured performance.

He eventually limped off in the 61st minute after appearing to suffer a muscle injury while taking a restart, placing doubt over his involvement in the pre-autumn camp starting on Sunday, but until that point he had looked sharp, composed and brave as he duelled with Ford.

Leicester initially targeted him, Dan Cole producing the biggest hit on a player Jones sees as a possible World Cup bolter, but both sides' gameplans were ripped apart by a frantic second half that was ultimately decided by two Ford penalties.

Saracens 41-13 Sale

England number eight Billy Vunipola was helped from the field with a leg injury as Saracens cruised to a convincing 41-13 win over Sale at Allianz Park.

Vunipola received lengthy treatment just before half-time after being hurt as Saracens defended resolutely under a Sale barrage being getting to his feet and hobbling around the perimeter of the ground, aided by two medics.

Ben Spencer crossed twice for Sarries with Liam Williams, Nathan Earle and Vincent Koch also going over and Owen Farrell converting all five and adding two penalties.

Byron McGuigan responded with two tries for Sale with Faf de Klerk kicking a penalty.