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Gloucester go top

23/09/2007

Gloucester have gone top of the Guinness Premiership after a thrilling 38-31 win over Saracen at Vicarage Road.

The visitors clinched a bonus point after tries from Anthony Allen, Ryan Lamb, Luke Narroway, and Olly Morgan. Lamb also kicked three conversions and four penalties.

Saracens, who trailed 19-14 at the break, touched down three times through Adam Powell, Kevin Sorrell and Edd Thrower.

Gloucester coach Dean Ryan was disappointed with the way his side started the game.

"They were going good in the first half and we were 14-3 down. But the next 20 minutes I thought we played some great stuff and ended with a dull 15 minutes at the end which let them back in," Ryan said.

"I thought, by then, we went into our shells and wanted the game to end.

"And when we go into Europe, some of those things we did today we won't get away with."

Elsewhere, Charlie Hodgson guided Sale to a 20-6 win over Bristol at Edgeley Park.

Hodgson kicked three penalties and two conversions while full-back Ben Foden touched down in the first half.

London Irish clinched their first win of the Premiership season after beating Newcastle 19-0 at the Madejski Stadium.

The hosts scored two tries through prop Faan Rautenbach and scrum-half Paul Hodgson while Jeremy Staunton kicked three penalties.