Woolstencroftin Saracenshat- trick

RUGBY UNION:

Tom Woolstencroft enjoyed a dream first outing with the Saracens captaincy by scoring a hat- trick of tries in their 36- 20 victory over Gloucester at Allianz Park.

The hooker, standing in in the absence of Brad Barritt, delivered a standout performance by dotting down three times in 20 minutes, while a Ben Harris try on his debut and Tom Whiteley’s effort capped the win.

Stephen Varney, Henry Walker and Louis Rees- Zammit did notch tries for the visitors but Saracens proved too good in the second half to secure their 11th league win of the season and leave Gloucester eighth.

Worcester blew a huge hole in Harlequins’ Premiership play- off hopes by posting an impressive 29- 14 victory at Sixways.

No 8 Cornell Du Preez, centre Ollie Lawrence and hooker Niall Annett all touched down before scrum- half Francois Hougaard’s 39th- minute score secured a bonus- point and Duncan Weir kicked three conversions before adding a second- half penalty.

Wing Chris Ashton and substitute hooker Elia Elia claimed consolation tries for Quins, with James Lang adding both conversions, but Worcester were already over the horizon.

Leicester picked up their first points since the Premiership resumption with a moraleboosting 13- 7 victory over London Irish at Welford Road.

David Williams scored their only try with George Ford adding the conversion and two penalties. Ben Meehan touched down for Irish, which was converted by Paddy Jackson and enabled the visitors to collect a losing bonus point.

Northampton suffered a 18- 3 home defeat to Bath.