Quins set early Premiership pace

Danny Care of Harlequins scores a tryduring the Guinness Premiership game between Harlequins and Bristol, at the Stoop on September 13, 2008, in Twickenham, England. (Photo by John Gichigi/Getty Images) Getty Images

The latest round of Guinness Premiership action saw Harlequins, Leicester and Sale maintain their unbeaten starts to the campaign.

A nightmare performance from Bath's Springbok fly-half Butch James allowed Gloucester to claim their first win at the Rec for 20 years with a 21-17 victory.

James missed four penalties and a conversion, and saw a late clearance kick charged down by Willie Walker for Gloucester's winning score.

Walker provided a calming tactical presence from fly-half in place of Ryan Lamb and slotted two penalties to go with an early drop goal and his winning try.

London Irish missed out 24-22 away to Leicester after Australian full-back Peter Hewat missed a last minute conversion that would have brought the Exiles a draw at Welford Road.

Leicester had moved into a seven point lead following a late score from Ben Herring, but Delon Armitage crossed with moments left to reduce the deficit to two.

Hewat's miss gave new Tigers' boss Heyneke Meyer a second crucial win in charge following the opening weekend win over Gloucester, while the Exiles were left ruing what could have been.

A last gasp penalty from Worcester's Loki Crichton consigned London Wasps to their second successive defeat of the season.

The Adams Park faithful were left stunned when Crichton dissected the posts in the tenth minute of injury time to give Worcester their opening win of the season.

Sam Tuitupou and England wing Paul Sackey had earlier swapped tries, before Wasps outside-half Dave Walder missed a late shot at goal to leave the door open for Worcester to snatch the win.

In his first game back from injury, Jonny Wilkinson kicked 22 points to inspire Newcastle to a 32-22 win over Northampton at Kingston Park.

Andy Buist and wing Ollie Phillips scored tries for the Falcons, while Northampton hit back through Sean Lamont and 17 points from captain Bruce Reihana and Carlos Spencer.

It was Wilkinson's day however, with a 100% kicking display securing vital home points for the Premiership relegation favourites.

Harlequins stormed to their second win of the season with a 31-13 win over Bristol at The Twickenham Stoop.

Prospective England scrum-half Danny Care was at his influential best in scoring a try and creating two others as Dean Richards' side continued their bright start to the season.

On Friday night, Sale edged past Saracens 18-15 with a last minute drop goal from Charlie Hodgson securing the points.

The scoring was limited to points from the boot, with Luke McAlister and Hodgson chipping in for Sale and Glen Jackson scoring all of Saracens points with five penalties.