Doncaster & Bedford beat Bristol & Sale in cup

Championship sides Doncaster Knights and Bedford Blues both pulled off surprises in the Premiership Rugby Cup with wins over Sale and Bristol.

Meanwhile Hartpury RFC drew 7-7 with Premiership neighbours Gloucester at Kingsholm.

Arguably the standout performance went to Doncaster who edged a 20-19 thriller away to Sale Sharks in Pool A to keep their faint hopes alive of going through to the quarter-finals.

Bedford were good value for their 23-14 home victory over Bristol in Pool D, again keeping alive a mathematical if unlikely chance of reaching the last eight.

Despite taking two points from the draw, it was not enough to keep alive Hartpury's last-eight hopes ahead of the final round of pool matches which take place on the weekend of 14-16 February.

Saracens, however, maintained their own quarter-final hopes securing a 20-0 victory against London Scottish.

Doncaster stun Sharks

Sale old boy Telusa Veainu and former Bath star Semesa Rokodugani helped Doncaster edge out Sale by a point in Greater Manchester.

Rekeiti Ma'asi-White drove over early for the Sharks to give them hope of a victory which would have sent them top of their group ahead of a decider against Newcastle in round six.

But Sale could not draw away from a dogged Doncaster who went in 7-3 up at the break before two converted tries from Veainu, a half pitch interception from Rokoduguni and a penalty from Alex Dolly saw them lead 20-14.

Obi Ene's late try by the right touchline brought Sale within a point but Tom Curtis missed the extras and Doncaster held on, sparking delighted celebrations from the visitors.

Bedford give Bristol the blues

Bedford Blues scored three tries with Nathan Langdon, Will Maisey and, in the second half Fred Tuilagi going over from close range, as the Championship side held off Bristol Bears at Goldington Road.

Converted tries from Sam Wolstenholme and Will Capon for the visitors kept them hopeful but a penalty from Maisey extended the lead back out to nine points on 66 minutes, a defensive position they held to the whistle.

Like Doncaster, Bedford can still progress but would need Bristol to lose their final Pool D match and overturn a huge points difference.

Sarries stay on course

There were no dramas for Saracens against London Scottish at Richmond Athletic Ground.

Two tries from Oscar Wilson and one from Louie Johnson secured a comfortable win.

Saracens can go through, most probably as one of the three best second placed teams with a win over Harlequins in their final Pool C match.

Meanwhile Gloucestershire bragging rights were shared equally between Hartpury RFC and Gloucester at a wet and windy Kingsholm.

Will Crane went over from a maul early for Hartpury before Olly Allport responded early in the second half for the Premiership side.

George Barton had a chance to land the win for Gloucester with two minutes to go but slid his penalty kick wide of the left upright.

The Premiership outfit still remain in decent position to book a quarter-final spot in clear second on 17 points behind leaders Exeter with their final Pool E match against the Chiefs.

Weekend fixtures (all times GMT)

Saturday

Pool D: Bath v Ampthill (13:30)

Pool B: Northampton Saints v Coventry (14:45)

Pool C: Ealing Trailfinders v Harlequins (15:00)

Pool B: Leicester Tigers v Nottingham (15:00)

Sunday

Pool E: Exeter Chiefs v Cornish Pirates (15:00)

Pool A: Newcastle Falcons v Caldy (15:00)