Premiership Round Up
Title-chasers Wasps extended their advantage over London Irish with a 34-19 victory at the Madejski Stadium in today's full Zurich Premiership programme.
Richard Birkett, Tom Voyce, Mark van Gisbergen and Ayoola Erinle all touched down for the visitors.
The Exiles managed just one try in response through Michael Horak with Mark Mapletoft scoring 12 points.
Ollie Barkley delivered another fly-half masterclass as leaders Bath cruised to a comfortable 24-15 victory against struggling Saracens on Saturday afternoon.
Barkley created two of his side's three tries with delicate kicks behind onrushing defenders and he added three conversions and a penalty for good measure.
However, the Premiership leaders will be concerned at the loss of England star Mike Tindall. The centre was carried off with a broken leg when he opened the scoring.
An Andrew Higgins touchdown and a penalty try in the second half put the visitors in the clear and the only time Bath were genuinely threatened was when Frenchman Thomas Castaignede poached a magnificent solo score five minutes from time.
Leicester secured their first bonus point win of the Zurich Premiership season as they overcame Leeds 39-11 at Welford Road on Saturday.
Fly-half Andy Goode ran the line with great authority on his first start for the Tigers since rejoining the club from Saracens.
Goode landed 14 points whilst Austin Healey, Graham Rowntree, Freddie Tuilagi, Neil Back and Neil Baxter all touched down in a dominant Tigers display.
Gloucester ended 2003 on a high note by inflicting a double defeat on Harlequins.
The west country side hammered Quins 16-0 in the autumn and despite a spirited display from the Londoners on Saturday, Gloucester worked hard to earn an important 18-17 home win, although Quins at least salvaged a bonus point.
Gloucester trailed 14-11 in the final quarter when Trevor Woodman touched down to put his side ahead on 66 minutes.
Henry Paul's conversion made the gap four points and Andy Dunne's late penalty wasn't enough for 'Quins.
Both teams ended with 14 men after Gloucester's Chris Fortey and 'Quin Jim Evans were red-carded on 19 minutes from time.
A second try from lock Chris Jones in the third minute of stoppage time earned Sale an all-important bonus point in a 35-7 defeat of basement club Rotherham.
The visitors threatened to pull off the shock of the season when they led 7-3 but Jason Robinson came to the Sharks rescue with his first try of the season before Jones supplied the finishing touches with his second-half brace.
Steve Hanley also scored a try for Sale while Charlie Hodgson's boot accounted for 15 points.