Bath in Prem Cup semi-finals after Glos win
Bath ended their Prem Cup pool campaign with the same record as Bath, but progressed to the semi-finals having gained one extra bonus point
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Defending champions Bath overpowered local rivals Gloucester 38-26 in Pool A of the Prem Cup to secure an away semi-final against Leicester Tigers next weekend.
Bath knew they needed a bonus point to win to leapfrog their opponents and started strongly scoring early tries through Tom Carr-Smith and the newly re-signed Kepu Tuipulotu, before Ben Redshaw replied for Gloucester.
Further scores from Will Muir and Carr-Smith secured the bonus point before Gloucester responded through Ollie Thorley, Max Knight and Deian Gwynne.
But tries from Ethan Staddon and Max Ojomoh sealed the win for the home side as Gloucester's defensive frailties were once again exposed.
In Pool B, the already-qualified Northampton Saints edged past Saracens 35-33 at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens to set up an away semi-final against Exeter Chiefs.
Olly Hartley and James Ramm exchanged early tries before Nick Tompkins put the visitors in the lead.
George Furbank's effort ensured the scores went in level at the break, before Theo Dan, Rotimi Segun and Brandon Jackson gave Saracens a healthy lead.
But further scores from Chunya Munga, Rory Hutchinson and George Hendy ensured the Saints continued their long winning run in the competition.
In the Pool A dead rubber, Sale Sharks overcame Bristol Bears 41-36 in a highly entertaining match at Ashton Gate.
Sale went into the break with a narrow three-point advantage, scoring four first-half tries through Arron Reed, Sam Dugdale and a double for Nathan Jibulu.
Bristol responded as Benjamin Elizalde, Gabriel Ibitoye and Gabriel Oghre all secured their individual braces, but further tries from Dan du Preez, Ben Bamber and Joe Bedlow saw Sale triumph, with their hosts left to rue a disappointing Prem Cup campaign.
In the Pool B clash of already-eliminated sides, a much improved second-half performance saw Harlequins beat Newcastle Red Bulls 35-14 at the Twickenham Stoop.
A hard fought first-half saw two tries scored apiece, before Quins broke loose in the second, scoring tries through Cadan Murley, Connor Slevin, Jamie Benson as Newcastle were unable to add to their first-half tally.
