Tom Varndell scored two tries in Wasps's win over Bayonne

Leeds fought back to secure a 10-6 win at Bucuresti in a Challenge Cup tie played in snowy conditions on Saturday.

Number eight Rhys Oakley, the only survivor from the XV that lost to Harlequins last weekend, scored the only try late in the game in Romania.

Tom Varndell scored two tries and Dave Walder added four penalties as Wasps produced a strong second-half display to beat French side Bayonne 22-18.

Connacht beat Worcester 26-21 in a close encounter at Sixways.

Leeds Carnegie director of rugby Andy Key told BBC Radio Leeds:

"We were very pleased to win this one because it was a very tough encounter and we had to dig very deep.

"Conditions were very hard and when we woke up this morning it was snowing and very very cold, so to overcome that extra challenge was pleasing.

"We weren't quite at our best to be honest and didn't execute as we'd have liked. But we knuckled down and the pressure told in the end with our try.

Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock told BBC Hereford and Worcester:

"We were very optimistic coming into this tournament as we have got a good tradition in the last couple of years, as we got into the final a couple of years ago and the semi-final last year.

"So obviously to lose today was a big blow for us and if we are honest we gift-wrapped the victory for Connacht really with our mistakes.

"We can't hide our disappointment and we can't just say it was down to one or two moments as we should have been better in everything we did."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version