Exeter survive Wasps’ fightback

No 8 Thomas Waldrom scored a hat-trick as the Exeter Chiefs beat Wasps 41-27, while there were also wins for Gloucester, Harlequins, Northampton, Leicester and Saracens.

Both sides were eager to attack, but it was Exeter who made the most of their chances at the Ricoh Arena. They took a 27-13 lead into half-time, having secured a four-try bonus point. Wasps stormed back to level the scores at 27-27 after 52 minutes before Exeter regained the lead when Waldrom went over for his hat-trick try from the back of a lineout maul.

In other English Premiership matches this weekend, Gloucester beat Sale 23-19 with No 8 Sione Kalamafoni scoring two tries to be named Man of the Match.

Winger Tim Visser scored a hat-trick of tries as Harlequins secured a 38-7 win against London Irish, who suffered their sixth successive defeat in this season's tournament.

Northampton edged Bath 13-11 at the Rec having led 3-0 at the break. Both teams scored a try with flyhalf JJ Hanrahan's late penalty snatching victory for the Saints.

Leicester fought their way back from 17-0 down after 25 minutes to beat the Worcester Warriors 29-20. Worcester were permanently reduced to 14 men early in the second half when lock Donncha O’Callaghan received his second yellow card and the Tigers took full advantage.

Saracens remain top of the log following a 38-3 win against Newcastle, with their bonus-point try coming in the 83rd minute.

Round 6 results:

Gloucester 23 Sale Sharks 19
Harlequins 38 London Irish 7
Worcester Warriors 20 Leicester Tigers 29
Bath 11 Northampton Saints 13
Wasps 27 Exeter Chiefs 41
Newcastle 3 Saracens 38

Photo: Getty Images