You are in > manchester.com  > News > Bath and Saracens keep winning

Rugby Union

Bath and Saracens keep winning

22/12/2007

Bath jumped to the top of the Guinness Premiership table with a resounding 41-10 win over struggling Leeds Carnegie at the Recreation Ground.

Winger Matthew Banahan crossed three times for the hosts while scrum-half Michael Claassens and full-back Nick Abendanon also touched down once each after the break to help Steve Meehan's side run away with the match from their 13-3 half-time lead.

England's Olly Barkley enjoyed an immaculate day from the tee as he kicked five conversions and two penalties to keep the scoreboard ticking over, though Tom Biggs grabbed an opportunist try for Leeds on 69 minutes.

At the Stoop Saracens inflicted Harlequins' first Guinness Premiership loss of the season as a dogged performance returned a 27-20 win for the Men in Black.

South African duo Neil de Kock and Brent Russell scored the visitors opening two tries before centre Rodd Penney sealed the match with a second-half score.

Quins stayed in touch through tries from Tani Fuya and Ugo Monye but could not overhaul their north London rivals.

In the day's other Premiership clash a seesawing match between Bristol and Wasps finished a 23-23 draw at the Memorial Stadium.

Two tries from Tom Arscott and one from his brother Luke had seemed to secure the game for the hosts as they came into the last twenty minutes with a 20-13 lead.

But a penalty from fly-half Daniel Cipriani and a penalty try for deliberately collapsing a scrum edged Wasps into a 23-20 lead.

But substitute Ed Barnes, who had earlier missed a simple conversion chance, stepped up to land a late penalty to earn his side a point.