As a damp weekend's Aviva Premiership rugby came to a close in the Madejski Stadium, London Irish followed London Welsh in gaining a losing bonus point. Sale Sharks, defeated 29-3 at Gloucester on Saturday lunchtime, are adrift at the foot of the table on six points. Irish have 11, Welsh 15 and Worcester Warriors 19.
Stephen Donald won the battle of the former All Black fly-halves on Friday night as he inspired Bath to a hard-fought 21-18 win over Nick Evans' Harlequins . Donald, who kicked New Zealand to World Cup victory last year, chalked up all 21 points for Bath, whose resilience ensured Quins suffered only their third defeat of the season.
Evans was equally impressive and also scored all of his team's points but Bath edged out the Londoners, thanks to Donald's unerring accuracy.
Andy Goode's right boot proved the difference in the battle of the misfiring kickers as Worcester Warriors eked out a 12-3 win against Saracens at Sixways.
Goode kicked all of his points in the first half but despite failing to cross the whitewash the Warriors were good value for the win against a Sarries side shorn of many of their big names. Nils Mordt scored their consolation penalty.
Northampton Saints overcame a slow start to battle past London Welsh 23-16 and end a run of three straight Aviva Premiership defeats. A penalty try and a further score from Ken Pisi allowed Saints to overcome a defiant Welsh team, who had taken an early lead through a penalty try of their own.
In the end Welsh had to rely on a late penalty from fly-half Gordon Ross to secure a losing bonus point as they maintained their battle for survival.
On Sunday, Tom Varndell of London Wasps scored the only try in the 14-12 win over his former club Leicester Tigers at Adams Park. Varndell joins Paul Sackey on 68 Premiership tries, six behind Mark Cueto and seven behind Steve Hanley.
The final game of the weekend saw Exeter Chiefs win 27-23 at London Irish. Although 13-21 down at the break, the Irish were just a point behind when Steenson sent a penalty over with a minute to go to secure a win for the Devon club.
Sale Sharks take on Northampton Saints next Friday (7.45pm) at Salford City Stadium, with former home favourite Ben Foden reported to be among several Saints due to return from injury.
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