World in Union: Round up of last weekends matches

Thanks to our friends at Premiership Rugby for the round up and Getty Images for the photo.

Saracens' hopes of finishing top of the Aviva Premiership Rugby table were dealt a huge blow when Worcester Warriors pulled off a shock 16-11 win at Sixways. Saracens took an early 8-0 lead and for most of the first half the Warriors struggled to contain the visitors who played a game of huge tempo.

The home defence looked sure to crack and a heavy defeat for the Warriors seemed probable but somehow Worcester held on, grew in confidence, and ultimately secured an unlikely victory

Sale Sharks ran in six tries as they powered to a dominant bonus-point 46-34 victory over London Wasps, who succumbed to their ninth consecutive Aviva Premiership Rugby defeat. Sale scored three first-half tries through Sam Tuitupou (twice) and Dwayne Peel as they opened up a 25-14 advantage, with Nick Macleod adding the rest from the boot. Wasps' response came from three Elliot Daly penalties and a Dominic Waldouck touchdown.

The Sharks repeated the try-scoring feat in the second period with Andy Powell, Johnny Leota and Rob Miller all going over, although two late Joe Simpson scores made the score more respectable.

Two tries from Thomas Waldrom helped Leicester Tigers leapfrog Northampton Saints into third place in the Aviva Premiership Rugby table after a comfortable home 42-15 win over struggling Newcastle. With Leicester wrapping up the four-try bonus point just two minutes into the second half, the result leaves Newcastle still six points adrift of London Wasps at the other end of the table.

Bath Rugby completed an Aviva Premiership Rugby double over West Country rivals Exeter Chiefs in a game where all the points came through penalties at Sandy Park, 9-6. It was a typical derby clash with little between the teams but the outcome meant a fourth home defeat for the Chiefs in the league this season, and the Devon side have to look back to January 1978 for when they last beat Bath.

Two tries from full-back Ross Chisholm were not enough to help stuttering Harlequins as the Aviva Premiership Rugby leaders slumped to defeat at Gloucester Rugby, 29-23.
Quins will be kicking themselves back down the motorway after they had Gloucester in trouble a few times in the second half but could not get the tries to recover from an early setback.

Wing Charlie Sharples, full-back Jonny May and flanker Akapusi Qera grabbed Gloucester's tries, with fly-half Freddie Burns booting four penalties and a conversion. As well as Chisholm's tries, Quins' other points came from fly-half Nick Evans' boot with three penalties and two conversions.

Replacement Ben Nutley shattered London Irish in the last seconds to give Northampton Saints a 10th Aviva Premiership Rugby victory of the season at Reading's Madejski Stadium, 30-23.
The bonus-point win put Northampton into t
hird ahead of midlands rivals Leicester but the thumping match could have gone either way as the second half ticked down.
Irish got tries from full-back Delon Armitage, wing Sailosi Tagicakibau and flanker Declan Danaher, with Adrian Jarvis booting eight points. Saints went over the line via wing Noah Cato, No 8 Roger Watson, full-back Paul Diggin and Nutley's winner, with outstanding Stephen Myler adding 10 points with the boot.

Sol y Futbol: Lanzarote beat third place team

Ian reports on a fantastic win in Arrecife for the Rojillos

LANZAROTE 2 C.D. MARINO 1

This brilliant win moves the Rojillos up to sixth in the league table following a fantastic 90 minutes of football and then four minutes of heart rendering drama against third placed side Club Deportiva Marino.

The game began and continued at a frantic pace. The Tenerife side posed a severe threat with the league’s top duo, Balduino and Noah. These strike partners have bagged a total of 35 goals between them this season beating the entire squad of Lanzarote by eight goals.

The movement as an attacking force was electric but the Lanzarote defence stood up to the challenge with honours. This was made even more credible as the Rojillos were without three regulars in the back four due to suspension and injury.

The visitors had several chances to take the initiative but the Lanzarote goalkeeper proved to be in inspired form. In the 14th minute Ayoze cleverly beat the offside trap and squared a perfect pass to Toñito, the striker’s first touch was excellent and from six yards blasted his second touch low into the bottom right hand corner sending Lanzarote 1-0 up.

Both sides immediately went in search of another goal. In the 36th minute striker Balduino found himself inside the area and had a clean strike at goal. His effort was deflected onto a post and just as his strike partner Noah was about to pounce somehow Ruymán scrambled the ball away to safety.

Three minutes later and it was Lanzarote´s turn to break through the back four. Great work from central midfield duo Jotha and Gustavo sent Toñito clear through. The keeper sprinted out to narrow the angle so Toñito chipped the ball but failed to get enough height to clear the outstretched arms of the relieved goalkeeper.

Two minutes before the end of the half the visitors had another wonder chance to restore parity. From eight yards out midfielder Peraza had a clean strike at goal but found that Ruymán had his reflexes spot on as he went low and saved with his feet. As the half time whistle blew both players and spectators drew a huge breath of air as the intensity of the match was at fever pitch.

If the first half had been thrilling the second period proved to be jaw dropping. The visitors were always likely to score and in the third minute the league’s second top scorer Noah received the ball inside the area and wasted no time firing past a well beaten Ruymán to level the match at one apiece.

The Rojillos then went back on the offensive. Five minutes later and Toñito picked the ball up in central midfield and fed Gustavo. Toñito carried on his run and nodded down the return pass from Gustavo and volleyed the ball wide of the Tenerife keeper and into the far corner sending Lanzarote back in front at 2-1.

The game had the cup feel about it with Lanzarote in search of three points to keep up with the playoff pack and C.D. Marino looking to catch up with the two teams above them who had played out a goalless draw the day prior. Both sides were 100% committed and tackles were flying in and yellow cards were brandished but still the Rojillos held on.
In the closing minutes the Tenerife side had just about invaded the 18 yard box of Lanzarote when Toñito broke clear from the edge of his area. No one was going to catch him and as he drew the keeper in he then released the ball at the perfect moment for Sub Rosmen for a simple tap in. As the crowd began to cheer the out of luck striker horrifically struck the ball into the side netting.

The crowd didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and really they didn’t have time for either as the visitors piled on another ferocious bombardment. Lanzarote cleared the ball off the line, were throwing bodies at the ball and still the away side wouldn’t relent. In the final minute of the four added on for stoppage time Cristo Martín toyed with the right back on the by-line, finally he pulled the ball back to the Noah who struck the bar and on the follow up the fantastic Lanzarote keeper saved with his feet from five yards from Jordan and then at last the Ref blew allowing everyone to gather their breath.

An outstanding game of football by both teams was rewarded with generous applause on a beautiful sunny hot day in Arrecife by the home fans.

The Rojillos have moved up one place to sixth but still trail the playoff spots by six points. Next Sunday Lanzarote travel to Gran Canaria to face C.D. San Pedro Martír who are just one point safe of the relegation positions.

GOALS
1-0min 14 Toñito
1-1min 48 Noah
2-1 min 53 Toñito

Sol y Futbol: Lanzarote fall to last minute winner

Thank you to Ian for the report on Lanzarote last minute defeat. Always next week.

SAN ANDRÉS 1 LANZAROTE 0

A 94th minute winner for the home side brings misery to Lanzarote after having dominated the match; but after only scoring seven goals in their 14 away matches this season they really only have themselves to blame.

On a more positive note, very few clubs chasing a playoff spot won so Lanzarote still remain in seventh spot but have slipped a further point which means they now trail the all important fourth place by six points with 11 games to play.

Lanzarote dominated the state of play early on and efforts from Echedey and Rosmen came close as did a header from Vladi. The home side tried to catch Lanzarote on the break but their main threat came from set pieces. Two free kicks by striker Tani produced good saves by the Lanzarote keeper but the half ended with Rojillos defender Adrían Martín narrowly heading wide.

The second half began as the first had ended with Lanzarote in control but the Rojillos without any financial clout failed to bring in fresh recruits in the transfer window and still have no answer in how to reward their dominance with goals.

Gustavo García forced the La Palma goalkeeper into a good save from a free kick and strikers Alex Yunes and Rosmen looked threatening but still failed to produce results.

Deep into stoppage time and with the writing on the wall striker Joymar earned a direct free kick on the edge of the Lanzarote box. The striker picked himself up and blasted his side into an unlikely 1-0 win.

Next Sunday it goes without saying that a win is vital. The only problem is that the Rojillos face third placed side C.D. Marino. They are in good form having won seven of their last 10 matches. Kick off time will be confirmed later in the week.

GOALS
1-0 min 94 Joymar

World in Union: Aviva Premiership Round 15 Review.

Thank you to our friends at Aviva and premiershiprugby.com, for the review of Round 15 Aviva Premiership.

As the fight for a top four position and a place in the Aviva Premiership Rugby Semi-Finals intensified, Round 15 of Aviva Premiership Rugby saw some exciting, highly-competitive close games with four out of the six matches finishing with only three points or less between the two sides.

At the Recreation Ground on Saturday, teenager Ryan Mills' penalty gave Gloucester Rugby victory to complete a season double over local rivals Bath Rugby, and move his side up to sixth place in the Aviva Premiership Rugby table. The 19-year-old England Under-20 cap, on as a replacement, calmly slotted the crucial three-pointer with 10 minutes to play of a fiercely contested West Country derby that saw tries from Tom Biggs and Tom Heathcote for Bath, and Nick Wood for Gloucester. Final score: Bath Rugby 11, Gloucester Rugby 14.


Over at Adams Park, the reliable boot of Exeter Chiefs' fly-half Ignacio Mieres kicked five penalties to give the visitors a hard-fought win over London Wasps. Despite dominating possession for long periods of the match, and Nick Robinson slotting over four penalties, the home side could not break through the Chiefs' solid defence. The result leaves Wasps in the relegation danger-zone of 11th place in the Aviva Premiership Rugby table with Exeter Chiefs in fifth. Final score: London Wasps 12, Exeter Chiefs 15.


Ryan Shortland's interception try handed Newcastle Falcons a relegation lifeline as they scrambled to victory over London Irish at Kingston Park. Tries came from Sailosi Tagicakibau for Irish and from Shortland for the Falcons, with the home side coming back from 10-6 down at half-time to win with 14 men after the sending-off of lock Adriaan Fondse in the 60th minute. With Wasps losing to Exeter the gap at the bottom of the Aviva Premiership Rugby table is now down to six points between the Falcons and Wasps, but Newcastle now face two tough matches in succession with a trip to Leicester and a home clash with Harlequins. Final score: Newcastle Falcons 19, London Irish 10.


Over at Franklin's Gardens, Stephen Myler kicked seven penalties and Ryan Lamb a drop goal as Northampton Saints defeated Sale Sharks in a bruising contest. Mark Cueto scored the only try of the match for Sale Sharks, supported by four penalties slotted over by Nick Macleod, in a game dominated by the boot. The win means that Northampton Saints maintain their position as third in the Aviva Premiership Rugby table with Sale Sharks dropping to seventh. Final score: Northampton Saints 24, Sale Sharks 17.


The combined might of Nick Evans' boot and the Harlequins pack helped the Aviva Premiership Rugby leaders maintain their impressive season to date by edging out Worcester Warriors at the Twickenham Stoop. A pre-match downpour in south-west London reduced the game to a battle up front and Evans' 11 points proved the difference between the sides. Warriors came away with a losing bonus point and maintained their position of 10th in the Aviva Premiership Rugby table. Final score: Harlequins 16, Worcester Warriors 14.


On Sunday, Leicester Tigers' skipper Geordan Murphy ended Saracens' unbeaten home record with a sensational drop-goal from the last kick of a gripping Aviva Premiership Rugby contest. Saracens were on track for victory at Vicarage Road when Tigers launched an intense 26-phase attack that ended Murphy's goal. Saracens' last home defeat was to Exeter in October 2010. The result means Leicester Tigers maintain their play-off position of fourth in the Aviva Premiership Rugby table with Saracens in second. Final score: Saracens 19, Leicester Tigers 20.

March to the Arch 3: Stevenage earn trip back to White Hart Lane.

Sports Pulse followed Spurs to the County of Opportunity and headed North to Stevenage.

Stevenage raised their game and held the mighty Spurs to a 0-0 draw, with the victors of the replay entertaining Bolton in the quarter final.

Spurs found it difficult to perform, blaming an uneven playing surface. The Stevenage players caused a number of problems. Both Luke Freeman and Laurie Wilson causing problems on the flanks. The left boot of Josh Bryom coming close on a number of occasions.

The big lads of Beardsley and Charles caused problems and continued with the introduction of May and Cowan late in the 2nd half.

Spurs did have a goal disallowed for offside before the hour. Saha slotted home, only for the ball to brush Parker in an offside position.

Earlier Stoke triumphed in a tricky tie at Crawley, ESPN apologising for sound problems, harsh on Craig Burley. ITV had their own audio issues - Jim Beglin, but then Roy Keane lightened the mood with a few jokes and a smile.

WSN Basketball: Wasps make 4 wins in a row.

Thanks to our friends at Hull Wasps for the match report.

Hull Wasps made it four straight wins by storming to a 107-48 victory at Mersey Tigers II on Sunday afternoon. The Wasps were dominant from tip-off and never looked back from an opening 24-12 quarter. The Wasps were even more dominant in the second with a 29-8 run which gave this visitors a 53-20 half-time lead to all but kill off the game.

The Wasps dominance continued and showed no signs of slipping up even without key players in James Rayner, Chris Cummings and John Brignell. They closed out the game with Matt Brutnell top scoring with 22 points, Adrian Blatherwick scoring 20 and Miles Anderson scoring 17.

Following the game, player-coach Matt Fawcett said: "It's another excellent result for the team today, once again showing how hard work pays off.

"We never let up for a minute and showed how good a squad we have. We have just three games left now to finish the job. Hopefully we'll get other results going our way too."

Next weekend, the Wasps have time off in the schedule with Cheshire Jets II pulling out of the league. The next game for Wasps will be away at Liverpool on Saturday 3 March.

Gwrys Yn Kernow: Pirates squeeze past Bristol for narrow victory

Thanks to our friends at Cornish Pirates, especially Woll for the match report and Simon Bryant for the photo.

Cornish Pirates 18-17 Bristol

RFU Championship Round 21

Sunday 19th February 2012
Kick Off 2pm
Round 21 Games

Woll's Match Report

After a few weeks of slugging it out on the mud plains and snow fields that have plagued Championship rugby of late; the sunshine that bathed the Mennaye to provide perfect conditions for a true west country battle, could only have come as welcome relief.

And what a battle we got, with the Pirates eventually emerging with the points from a game that looked to have been slipping from their grasp with half an hour remaining.

Ten minutes later however; and a dull decision from Sambucetti to lash out at Burgess on the floor to earn himself a ten minute sit down; shifted the whole complexion of the contest back in favour of the hosts, who duly delivered the match winning try through lock, Ian Nimmo.

But there were still twenty minutes left and plenty of time for a few twists and turns surely? We weren’t to be disappointed.

Not that anyone had been prior, as the fuse for a full on scrap had been lit even before the visitors had kicked off proceedings towards the Newlyn End. Messr’s Paver and Sambucetti apparently having a contretemps as the home side run out, with the Argentine ending up investigating the pitch condition closely, and sooner than he perhaps intended.

Forty seconds later, and the first of several early skirmishes erupted as Bristol infringed at the breakdown. The tone was set and it was the Cornishmen who seemed to profit from this feistiness, as their pack took charge and provided enough for the Pirates already decimated back line, to play with. And, for the first ten or so minutes they did with Short and Doherty looking dangerous.

The reward for this endeavor came early as firstly Pointer with a 43m penalty, and yet another try for eventual man of the match; Ward; gave the Cornishmen an eight point advantage. Cook’s missed conversion only putting his double century of points for the season on hold for the time being.

But then a blow that appeared to take the wind out of their sails, as Short had to leave the field, with a shoulder injury only adding to a list of back line casualties that refuses to diminish.

Bristol sensed this and took full advantage with their pack quickly taking control and allowing the simple things to be done well. Only a marginal forward pass to Mama denied the visitors a merited try of their own sooner than Eave’s 30 th minute success, which, with Roberts’ three tee kicks, enabled the top spot holders more than their 8-11 half time advantage.

Piratical woes increased during the break, as Pointer had to be withdrawn with a slight concussion; and mounted further as Bristol picked up from where they had left off.

Roberts consistency with the boot added three more, ten minutes into the second period, after Evans paid the price for his hands in a ruck and the home crowd, boosted by a large travelling contingent, must have wondered if this wasn’t to be their day.

Cook though finally got on the scoreboard soon after and, backed up with some resilient defence that was epitomised by Doherty’s try saving tackle on the impressive Helu; a few chinks of light did appear despite being a man down.

Then came the Argentine’s moment of madness and the rest as they say, was history, as the Pirate pack once again took the bull by the horns.

Burgess and Cattle came agonisingly close, before Nimmo finally put the host’s noses in front. But the missed chances that came and went only added to the excitement and prolonged the biting of nails from all quarters; Maidment, Doherty and Cattle (again) all inches from glory and some breathing space.

Step up Roberts then to add a fourth penalty and make it a single point ball game with still twenty minutes remaining.

Bristol’s old war horse, Crompton, was then thrown on to steady the scrum as we moved into penalty try territory. But within thirty seconds he was trundling off again having further incurred Mr. Carley’s wrath at scrum time.

It was enough though to buy time for his compadres to re-group and weather this particular storm. It wasn’t however enough to provide one last effort to snatch a win and deny the Pirates a chance to even the score for the season as Cattle finally called time with a box kick into the Old Western National Corner.

Relief came at last and a real chance next week to secure second spot beckons, subject to results of course.

Hopes too; that Paul Andrew’s stretchering off at the end, looked worse than it actually transpires to be, as the prop suffered a neck injury in the breakdown that saw that man Wardy, turn the ball over for his skipper to end the game.

But then front row forwards from these points are made of granite. He’ll be fine!

Cornish Pirates
15 R. Cook 14 G. Pointer (20 T. Kessell HT) 13 A. Short (22 M. Evans 22mins) 12 T. Cooper 11 D. Doherty 10 A. Penberthy (21 C. Thomas 69mins) 9 G. Cattle (capt) 8 K. Marriott 7 P. Burgess 6 C. Morgan 5 I. Nimmo 4 M. Smith (19 B. Maidment 60mins) 3 A. Paver (18 C. Rimmer 69mins) 2 D. Ward 1 R. Storer (16 P. Andrew 53mins)

Replacements: un-used 17 T. Cowan-Dickie

Tries; Ward, Morgan
Conversions; Cook
Penalties: Pointer, Cook

Yellow: Evans

Bristol
15 J. Goodridge 14 J. Tovey 13 W. Helu 12 L. Eves 11 M. Williams 10 T. Roberts (22 M. Jones 65mins) 9 R. Tipuna (c) (21 T. Slater 78mins) 1 M. Irish (17 D. Crompton 71mins) 2 R. Johnston (16 R. Lawrence 47 mins) 3 J. Hobson (18 W. Thompson 71mins) 4 M. Sambucetti (19 B. Glynn 65mins) 5 G. Townson 6 H. Vanderglas 7 M. Mama (1 M. Irish 74-80+mins) 8 D. Montagu (20 I. Grieve 65mins)

Replacements: all used

Tries; Eves
Penalties: Roberts 4

Yellow: Sambucetti, Crompton

Match Officials
Referee: Matthew Carley
Assistants: Nick Williams, Richard Parker Sedgemore

Man of the Match: Dave Ward
Attendance: 3115


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