Saracens and Northampton maintained their unbeaten records in this year's European Challenge Cup with contrasting wins on Sunday.

Sarries earned a bonus point as they scored four tries in a 36-0 win over French side Bayonne at Vicarage Road.

Saints had to work harder to win 25-21 at Premiership rivals Bristol, Ben Foden scoring two of their four tries.

Newcastle also retain hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages after a 21-16 win over Overmach Parma.

England centre Jamie Noon scored the third of their tries, but their failure to earn a bonus point leaves them two points adrift of pool leaders Brive ahead of their pivotal clash at Kingston Park in January.

English sides top four of the five groups going into the final two rounds of matches, with Newcastle also well placed to qualify either as a pool winner or runner-up.

Worcester went five points clear at the top of Pool Three as they beat French side Bourgoin 27-6 at a sodden Sixways on Saturday.

Joe Carlisle landed three penalties for the hosts before Sebastien Laloo got Bourgoin ticking over with two of his own to make it 9-6 at half-time.

Carlisle added a fourth penalty before tries from Sam Tuitupou and Aleki Lutui ensured victory for Worcester.

Connacht maintained their hopes of catching London Irish in Pool One with a 30-3 win over Rovigo on Friday.

Hooker Adrian Flavin and scrum-half Frank Murphy scored first-half tries for the Irish province, with Ian Keatley adding two penalties.

Murphy, with his second, and lock Andrew Farley brought up the bonus point with tries in the second half.

Connacht, six points adrift of London Irish, will need to win in Reading in January to retain hopes of qualifying.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version