Wasps withstood a late fightback from rivals Leicester to secure a precious 24-22 Guinness Premiership victory at a packed Adams Park.

After the hosts had gone ahead through a Paul Sackey try, four penalties from Toby Flood put the Tigers in the ascendancy but Steve Kefu crossed to restore Wasps' lead at the break.

Dave Walder's solid kicking increased the advantage and Wasps hung on despite a last-minute try from Jordan Crane, which earned Leicester a bonus point to keep them ahead of their rivals in the table.

On Saturday, Saracens moved six points clear at the top of the table after a hard-fought 15-13 victory over Sale.

Derick Hougaard kicked five penalties to give the hosts their narrow victory.

Sisa Koyamailbole crossed the try-line for the Sharks, giving them the lead in the first half, and Charlie Hodgson kicked the conversion to put them 7-3 up.

It was later 10-6, but Hougaard cut the deficit to a single point at the break.

He continued his kicking assault after the interval as Sarries forged 15-10 ahead and although Hodgson's late penalty set up a grandstand finish, the hosts held on.

After the game, Sarries' director of rugby Brendan Venter said his side were good enough to hold onto their lead in the title race.

"I believe we can win the title, we are good enough as a squad," he said.

Second-placed London Irish dropped more home points as Worcester recorded a third straight Premiership draw in a scrappy affair which ended 16-16.

A fortnight after losing their unbeaten home record to Newcastle Falcons, the Exiles were again troubled with Willie Walker kicking 11 points for the visitors, who were awarded a penalty try.

John Rudd scored the hosts' only try, while Ryan Lamb converted and kicked three penalties.

Chris Ashton went over for a last-minute converted try as Northampton dealt struggling Bath another devastating Guinness Premiership blow with a 15-13 win.

Bath, who had England winger Matt Banahan sent off in the 66th minute for reckless use of the boot, looked like they were going to clinch a much-needed victory when Nicky Little inched them 13-8 ahead with a 72nd-minute penalty.

But Ashton, who scored a try in the first half, dotted down with 46 seconds left and Stephen Myler converted to break Bath's hearts and stretch their winless run to seven league games.

The West Country side remain second from bottom, just three points above Leeds.

Northampton, who clinched their fifth straight home win in the Premiership, stay on the coat-tails of the leaders - they are seven points behind Sarries.

Elsewhere, Wales international Nicky Robinson grounded the Newcastle Falcons as he steered Gloucester to a comfortable 25-13 victory at Kingsholm.

The fly-half kicked five penalties, a drop-goal and a conversion of wing Charlie Sharples' early try, giving Gloucester only their fourth win of a difficult league campaign.

But the victory was marred by an injury to home flanker Akapusi Qera, who left the pitch on a stretcher with his neck in a brace after being treated by paramedics for seven minutes.

Thankfully, however, coach Bryan Redpath reported later that his player "seemed fine" having regained consciousness.

Newcastle showed attacking glimpses during the first half through their inventive catalyst Jimmy Gopperth, but they were poised to make the long journey home with just two Gopperth penalties to show for their efforts until substitute Alex Tait touched down during injury time.

On Friday night, Chris Robshaw's first-half brace of tries proved crucial as Harlequins withstood a stirring second-half fightback from bottom club Leeds to claim a 30-27 victory at Headingley and continue their upward mobility.

The 23-year-old flanker, who made his England debut against Argentina in June, showed brute power to twice burrow his way over the line and help the visitors into a 24-13 interval lead.

Yet Leeds head coach Neil Back has fashioned a side with guts.

His men hit back with two tries in seven second-half minutes through Kearnan Myall and Tom Denton to ensure a scoreline of 30-27 in the visitors' favour going into the final quarter of the match.

Leeds pushed hard for a try that could have secured only their second win of the season but Quins answered just about every question that was asked of them when it mattered most.

Harlequins' other try was scored by George Lowe while three conversions and a hat-trick of penalties from Nick Evans also proved crucial.

Since their momentous win at Wasps, Leeds have now lost three Premiership matches in succession and a losing bonus point was little consolation for their efforts.