Harlequins missed the chance to secure their position in the top four of the English Premiership when they went down 25-20 to Gloucester at Kingsholm on Saturday.

With the leaders Northampton and Saracens holding a comfortable 10 point-plus up at the top of the log, the battle is below for play-off places. Quins led 13-7 at half-time, but Gloucester, languishing in the basement of the Premiership, ended a run of three successive defeats with a second-half blitz which produced two tries in eight minutes.

Bath, however, sitting in third position, did what was necessary in a seven-try thriller against Wasps, winning 35-25. Anthony Watson strengthened his England credentials further with two tries, while Nick Abendanon and Kyle Eastmond crossed to earn Bath a bonus point.

Worcester remained winless this season when Sale won 24-12.

With Quins losing ground, Leicester will have added incentive when they take on London Irish on Sunday. Saracens and Northampton are likely to consolidate their positions against Exeter and Newcastle respectively.

Results:

Bath 32 London Wasps 25
Gloucester 25 Harlequins 20
Worcester Warriors 12 Sale 24

Sunday fixtures:

London Irish vs Leicester
Newcastle vs Northampton
Saracens vs Exeter

Photo: Tom Shaw/Getty Images