Chiefs’ opening day run continues with six tries to sinks Sharks

Published on 02/09/2012 03:02

Exeter Chiefs’ convincing 43-6 victory over Sale Sharks at Sandy Park means that the Devon side not only recorded their biggest-ever league win but have also won their opening day match on each of their three seasons in the Premiership.

The Chiefs took a try-scoring bonus point as they crossed for six tries, two of them from Matthew Jess, as they restricted the visitors to just two penalties to remain unbeaten in five games against the Sharks.

Former England stand-off Danny Cipriani had to bide his time on the Sale replacements bench to mark his return to the Premiership after two seasons with Melbourne Rebels. Just after the half-hour mark, Cipriani took to the field and slotted in to the No.10 berth.

Sale Sharks new boss Bryan Redpath gave club debuts to wing Corne Uys (Newcastle Falcons) and lock Richie Gray (Glasgow) but Nick MacLeod started at stand-off.

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson was at the game to watch Gray, who was his outstanding player in last season’s Six Nations, as he prepares for the Autumn internationals against New Zealand, South Africa and Tonga.

Afterwards Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter said: “Getting that first result brings a bit of relief as we all start on no points. We had a nice finish to last season where we were comfortable and we could get after games.

“We have kind of taken off in the same manner, which is really pleasing, but the scoreline probably doesn’t show that the game was massively competitive for very long periods.”

Northampton held on with just 13 men to beat Gloucester 24-19 in a thrilling finale.

The Saints scored three tries to one, with centre George Pisi getting two of them and England cap Dylan Hartley the other. Stand-off Ryan Lamb landed a penalty and three conversions. A penalty try for Gloucester along with four penalties and a conversion from Freddie Burns just was not enough for the home side.

Former England captain Mike Tindall, who is combining his playing career at Gloucester with learning the coaching ropes, formed a new centre partnership with ex-Leicester midfield man Billy Twelvetrees.

Olly Barkley kicked all of Bath’s points including a last-minute penalty to snatch a dramatic 24-23 win over Worcester at Sixways.

Bath had not led until the 65th minute but even when home lock James Percival responded by crashing over for the only try of the game soon after, it was the accuracy of Barkley that proved decisive.

By contrast Andy Goode spurned a couple of kicks late on, including failing to convert Percival’s 69th-minute score, which proved crucial when his opposite number landed the winning blow with the final kick of the game.

Charlie Hodgson became the first player to pass 2,000 points in the Premiership as Saracens comfortably overcame London Irish 40-3 in the second London Double Header match at Twickenham.

The former England stand-off, who went into the match on 1,992 points, achieved the milestone with his third penalty in the 27th minute.

England winger Chris Ashton marked his Saracens debut with two second-half tries – after being sin-binned in the first half – with England centre Brad Barritt and replacement Nils Mordt also touching down.

Hodgson finished with 20 points, adding four conversions to his three early penalties, with full-back Alex Goode also landing a penalty.

The only Irish reply was a penalty from full-back Tom Homer, last season’s Premiership leading scorer with 278 points.