Week 20 of the Gallagher Premiership saw Exeter Chiefs suffer their first loss in eight games after a 40-17 defeat against Saracens.
A second string Sarries side were 15-5 up at the break through tries from Rotimi Segun and Dom Morris. Chiefs Facundo Cordero crossed for the visitors, but it was the hosts going into the break on top.
Chiefs suffer a rare loss
Will Witty grabbed a second try for Exeter in between two Manu Vunipola penalties for Saracens. However, Saracens hit back with Elliott Obatoyinbo, Janco Venter and Cameron Boon all going over to secure a bonus point win.
Exeter did however have the last word when Dave Dennis went over late in the game for a late consolation try.
Play off spots getting very tight
Wasps moved up to second in the table with a 59-35 win over Bristol Bears at the Ricoh Arena. Wasps ran in nine tries in a try feast to make it nine wins in their last ten.
The home side wrapped up the bonus point inside the opening twenty minutes through Jack Willis, Josh Bassett, Tom Cruse and Will Rowlands. Zach Kibirige also went over for the hosts to give Wasps a 31-14 lead at the break.
Max Malins bagged a brace for Bristol before the break before Wasps responded in emphatic fashion. Dan Robson, Tom Willis, Gabriel Oghre and a penalty try gave the home side a comfortable cushion.
Piers O’Connor and Peter McCabe along with a penalty try was little consolation for the Bears. Although Malins with the boot also added 18 points for a rewarding afternoon’s work.
Bath continue their late season form
Bath won their fourth successive Premiership game for a bonus point win over top four rivals Sale Sharks.
The visitors completed a 37-22 success over Sale with a brace from Ben Spencer and 17 points from Rhys Priestland. Ruaridh McConnochie scored Bath’s opening try with Jonathan Joseph also crossing.
Rohan Janse van Rensburg and twins Jean-Luc du Preez and Daniel went over for the hosts.
There was more bad news for Sale after the game when Steve Diamond revealed that Lood De Jager will require surgery. The World Cup winning lock could potentially be out of the side for six months due to his injured shoulder.
Tigers just edge out Saints
Leicester Tigers earned only their second win in the past seven matches after defeating Northampton 28-24 at Welford Road.
Ben Youngs- making his 250th club appearance- scored an early try and three Zach Henry penalties made it 16-3. Saints managed a penalty try but Leicester hit back with Freddie Steward’s long range penalty.
Henry made it four from four from the tee before Paul Hill crossed for Saints. But a drop goal and a penalty from Henry was enough for Tigers to seal victory and Saints fifth straight defeat.
Warriors grab only their second win of the year
Worcester Warriors secured only their second Premiership win of the year after beating London Irish 40-25 at The Stoop.
Ben Loader opened the scoring after only four minutes before Warriors responded through Francois Hougaard. In a tightly contested opening half it was the Exiles who held a narrow 8-7 lead at the interval.
Worcester came out of the blocks the quickest by scoring five second half tries. Hougard grabbed his second of the afternoon with Ollie Lawrence bagging a brace. There was still time for Melani Nanai and Tom Howe to cross to condemn Irish to their ninth consecutive defeat.