Well, well, well, I think it’s fair to say that Round 12 had a little bit of everything. From single-point victories to try fests and last minute steals it was an enthralling round of Premiership Rugby.
Without doubt Bristol are the talk of the town right now, and in a good way, as they recorded their first set of back-to-back Premiership victories since March 2008. That’s four wins on the bounce in all competitions and with the confidence that they now have, and other sides dropping off form wise, the table suddenly has an altogether different completion to it.
Round 12 started with a cracker at Kingston Park. From the first minute to well beyond the 80th minute we were treated to an enthralling spectacle of Premiership Rugby. The statistics, and score line, tell you just how much of a contest it was with Newcastle beating the same number of defenders as Wasps, scoring the same number of tries and actually making more metres. Yet Dai Young’s side managed the opening of the second half better than their hosts and held firm at the very end. There were head-turning performances from a number of players, Falcons’ Mark Wilson worked himself into the ground, Sonatane Takulua sparked from nine and Wasps Guy Thompson was a deserved man of the match. I have to say it was one of my favourite games I’ve seen this season, if you get a chance to watch it in full then do and it is further proof that Newcastle are building very nicely indeed. Full Time: Newcastle Falcons 30 Wasps 34
The Recreation Ground was stunned as Exeter Chiefs performed the ultimate smash and grab over Bath Rugby. The hosts were firmly in control for about 60 minutes before Exeter decided that they weren't leaving empty handed and put their foot on the gas. James Short’s finishing provided the points and while the Chiefs took their chances Bath missed a couple of theirs. For a large part Todd Blackadder's side looked assured and creative in attack, led by the direction and vision of George Ford, but they didn’t sustain that for the full 80. The jewel in the Chiefs’ crown was Jack Nowell, his work rate was outstanding and despite not getting his name of the scoreboard he was hugely influential in defence and fizzed in attack - something Eddie Jones will have noted. It was another belting Premiership match and finished 2016 in style. Full Time: Bath Rugby 11 Exeter Chiefs 17 
On New Year's Day at the AJ Bell Stadium Bristol gained another valuable victory in their pursuit towards have a much stronger 2017 than they did 2016. Conversely Sale Sharks will be frustrated at their overall performance and as a result have been sucked into a table position that they don't want to be in. There were sections the game when Sale looked to be in control, they went 15-0 up in the first half and then 23-10 up again in the second and yet they didn’t make it stick. The composure and character that Bristol showed each time to get themselves back on level terms and ultimately take the W is exactly what will drive them on this season. Of course Tom Varndell equalling Mark Cueto’s record number of Premiership tries, 90, added to their occasion and Bristol's bus journey back should have been a jovial one indeed! Full Time Sale Sharks 23 Bristol Rugby 24
At Sixways the Worcester Warriors they bounced back after their Boxing Day disappointment with a head-turning performance against Harlequins. Once again John Kingston's team showed an acute form of travel sickness as the hosts dominated for three quarters of the match. Worcester knew that they needed to put their game on the park in Round 13 or face potentially finishing the round at the foot of the table and they did just that. Their backs caused Harlequins issues and tries were the result with a 16-0 half time lead just reward for their dominance. Of course they may feel a tiny bit annoyed that they let Harlequins take a point away but overall it was Worcester’s most complete outing of the season and one that they must build upon. Full Time Worcester 24 Harlequins 17
It was a packed house at Kingsholm however the weather didn’t really play ball for a try fest, instead the majority of the scoring was left to the two fly halves. Stephen Myler marked his 300th appearance by delivering the match-winning points, converting the only 'try' of the game and Billy Burns was on point for the hosts throughout. Ultimately the result swung on David Halaifonua's yellow card for a deliberate knock-on that meant he saw yellow and Saints gained a penalty try. Another W will ensure that Saints take another step on the road towards re-buidling the confidence they lost during their difficult patch a short time ago while for Gloucester it's another result that goes on their 'what if' list. Full Time Gloucester 12 Northampton Saints 13
In the final game of the weekend Leicester Tigers and Saracens were embroiled in a good old duel. It was a bruising encounter between two sides that didn't want to give an inch but like they’ve done so many times before the reigning champions found the route to victory. Owen Farrell was their key talisman as he led proceedings with real assertion and the type of competitive edge that he's famed for. However the England man sparked won't have been happy about his couple of misses from the tee but they were cancelled out by Leicester not taking their opportunities in that area either. Manu Tuilagi limping from the field was horrible to see and I really hope that it isn’t too serious because he’s had such a torrid time with injury and it would be horrific to see him pick up another long-term problem. It as a gritty victory for Saracens and they finish the round in second behind Wasps while Tigers slip to fifth, five points behind Bath. Full Time Leicester Tigers 12 Saracens 16