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Exeter pull level with Sarries after Worcester rout
By Omnisport
Exeter Chiefs capitalised on Saracens' faltering Premiership form with another heavy-scoring display at Worcester Warriors on Saturday, winning 48-32.
Second-placed Saracens were beaten at Gloucester on Friday to make it back-to-back defeats for the defending champions, and Exeter's win at Sixways - inspired by a James Short hat-trick - draws them level on points.
Rob Baxter's men have grown accustomed to piling on the points against Worcester - their latest victory takes them to a tally of 155 against the Warriors in their last three meetings and extends their winning run in the fixture to 10.
Warriors reached half-time with a slender 18-17 advantage, but three quick tries early in the second period with Alafoti Fa'osiliva in the sin bin gave Exeter breathing space.
Struggling Worcester did, however, collect a valuable bonus point in their fight against the drop when Jackson Willison crossed for their fourth try of the match.
Leicester Tigers, meanwhile, registered their biggest league win in almost four years as they saw off basement club Bristol 50-17, with JP Pietersen shining on his return to the XV after 11 weeks out through injury.
Aaron Mauger's side ran in eight tries - two from Pietersen - on the way to their biggest points total since 2010, including a period of 31 unanswered points in the first half.
The result sees Leicester close within four points of fourth-placed Bath - 22-12 winners against Harlequins on Saturday - while Bristol are now six adrift of Worcester at the bottom.
FT: @LeicesterTigers 50 - 17 @Bristol_RFC. Big score for Tigers as they get the win at Welford Road.
Quins outscored Bath by two tries to one, but 17 points from the boot of Rhys Priestland proved key to the hosts' victory at the Rec.
FT: @bathrugby 22 - 12 @Harlequins. Priestland with five penalties to help Bath get the win at home. #AvivaPrem pic.twitter.com/J3iQGgefMs
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) February 18, 2017
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Think it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
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