Not one of the three promoted sides managed to win here last season, where Rotherham are rarely intimidated by the big names in front of their own folk, and ultimately it proved to be beyond big-spending Worcester.Liley slotted another penalty, but Rotherham kept up the pressure, fully expecting the mistakes to come Sure enough they did This time the miscreant was Peter Mitchell. Jake Niarchos converted and Worcester were in no doubt as to the size of the task they faced.Although Worcester had won their previous seven Premiership matches, Rotherham had not been beaten in the league on their cramped South Yorkshire ground since last January. Richard Le Bas was far too slow in attempting a clearance, his kick was charged down and Greg Austin was on hand to take full advantage and score the opening try. Until Rotherham tired towards the end, Worcester had not looked as if they would score a try, relying instead on the boot of John Liley, who kicked four penalties to keep his side in the game.
Liley had stroked a simple penalty after 10 minutes, which was the signal for the home forwards to mount their first convincing assault on the Worcester line. And although there were only 10 points in it, there was no doubting Rotherham’s right to their second big prize of the season – they have already beaten the other promotion challengers Bristol – as they outscored Worcester by four tries to one. ROTHERHAM injected some variety into the Premiership Two title race with a thunderous victory against high-flying Worcester at Clifton Lane. Three times Back cut dangerous opponents in half with tackles and Corry’s fitness right to the end was something to behold.The frantic exchanges continued at pace but with Stimpson’s boot knocking over two penalties in the last four minutes Leicester were home.Gloucester: C Catling; B Johnson (M Mapletoft, 35), T Fanolua, R Tombs (capt), P Saint-Andre; S Mannix, I Sanders (S Benton, 62); T Window, C Fortey, A Deacon (A Powles, 64), R Fidler, M Cornwell (D Sims, 64), K Jones, S Ojomoh, N Carter.Leicester: T Stimpson; D Lougheed, S Potter, P Howard, L Lloyd; G Murphy, A Healey; G Rowntree (D Jelley, 70), R Cockerill, D Garforth, M Johnson (capt), F van Heerden, P Gustard, M Corry, N Back.Referee: N Williams (Neath)..

Leicester were not found wanting, and had the game’s two class acts in Neil Back and Martin Corry. Mapletoft converted for a 15-11 lead.At times like this championship credentials are severely tested. The new man’s first attempt struck an upright but when the pressure was on Mapletoft again in first- half injury-time, he did not disappoint.The scenes were even more joyous when Mapletoft stole into the right- hand corner for Gloucester’s second try three minutes into the second half, after some sleight of hand from Mannix. Brian Johnson trudged off injured but his replacement Mark Mapletoft was to have a big influence on the hour or so that remained.After a missed penalty by Simon Mannix, the Gloucester skipper Richard Tombs tossed the kicking tee to Mapletoft. Illegal use of the boot by Mark Cornwell in one of a series of niggling exchanges gave Tim Stimpson a shot at the posts. The full- back struck a post but Gloucester then went off-side at a Leicester line- out and Stimpson kicked over from shorter range.Martin Johnson returned and was quickly involved as Gloucester collapsed a scrum and Stimpson potted another three points. A meaty right-hander cost Johnson 10 minutes in the sin-bin but the only score in his absence went Leicester’s way, a sign of their determination all afternoon.

Geordan Murphy, who Leicester shifted to outside-half in the continuing absence of the injured Joel Stransky, punted towards the corner and winger Dave Lougheed won a shoulder-to- shoulder barge with Brian Johnson to claim the score.Johnson soon made amends, the Gloucester winger rounding off an expansive cross-field move to level things up.The Johnson & Johnson tale then took a nasty turn and it wasn’t baby oil that Leicester and England’s Martin was dishing out in a ruck. Given that the only two previous winners here in 1998, Wasps and Newcastle, are also the last two league champion clubs, Leicester’s win could be a revealing omen. Certainly it moved them two points clear at the top of the Premiership, with Northampton playing today.
For the first 15 minutes, the respective forwards were chasing the game as each side worked a try in the furthest reaches of the field. The mud was largely absent but the beasts bearing one to eight on their backs fought mightily for mastery of the jungle. CONTEMPLATING Gloucester and Leicester at Kingsholm usually prompts a Reggie Perrin mother-in-law moment of hippos wallowing in the mud in the mind’s eye.

At the end Best once again had the look of a Cheshire cat.London Irish: C O’Shea (capt); J Bishop, N Burrows (R Todd, 60), B Venter, J Cunningham (N Woods, 80); S Bachop, K Putt; N Hatley, M Howe (R Kirke, 60), K Fullman (R Hardwick, 71), R Strudwick, M O’Kelly, J Boer, R Gallacher (K Spicer, 68), K Dawson.Harlequins: J Williams; D Luger, D Officer, J Schuster, D O’Leary (J Keyter, 75); T Lacroix (capt), H Harries (C Wright, 36); G Halpin (D Barnes, 68), K Wood, J Leonard, G Morgan, G Llewellyn, R Jenkins, C Sheasby, A Leach.Referee: E Morrison (RFU).. The Exiles had mounted a couple of attacks close to the Quins line and when Malcolm O’Kelly was stopped just short, referee Ed Morrison ran behind the posts. Quins had been living dangerously but they were nevertheless bemused by the decision which was given for what Morrison judged to be persistent offside.Cunningham’s conversion put the Irish back in front at 17-16 and a penalty five minutes from time by Cunningham sealed a notable victory. Schuster’s conversion levelled the scores and then the Samoan centre kicked Quins into the lead.Schuster landed penalties in the 51st and 56th minutes, and at that stage Quins were looking good, but their hard-earned lead evaporated when the Irish were awarded a penalty try. On the stroke of half-time Wood, playing his first-ever match at Sunbury, capitalised on fourth phase possession to burrow over near the posts. An absolute cracker.Far from folding, Quins responded with the right stuff. Schuster, whose strike rate is approaching 90 per cent, kicked a penalty before Quins got back on level terms with an inspired try from the Irish hooker Keith Wood.