In Pool C, Ealing Trailfinders saw off London Scottish 36-5 in a one-sided affair in the capital. Knowing that a win would keep them in contention in the all-London pool, Ben Ward’s men took the lead through centre Jordan Holgate, after a well-worked lineout move.
The away team then responded, number eight Zach Carr crashing over in the corner after a driving maul. Repeated penalties from the Exiles saw flanker Jack Ingall yellow carded, before Matt Cornish restored the Trailfinders’ lead, burrowing over after repeated phases.
Following the break, the rampaging Holgate secured his second try, picking a hole in the Exiles defence to dot down untouched, before tries for team-mates Ben Harris, Bobby De Wee and Rayn Smid secured the bonus point that leaves Ward’s men top of the pool, ahead of Harlequins on points difference.
In Pool E, Hartpury were forced to move their match to the all-weather pitch, but that did not stop them from seeing off Championship rivals Cornish Pirates 41-26.
The visitors were the stronger side in the first half – taking the lead through scrum-half Cameron Jones after a break by Pirates’ winger Robin Wedlake-Millecam. After a scrappy passage, the Cornishmen then added to their advantage, full-back Will Trewin exploiting a hole in the home side’s defence.
Winger Arthur Relton capped off a fine third try for the away side, touching down after gathering a cross-field kick in an end-to-end score.
Hartpury managed to scramble a try through Aristot Benz-Solomon and converted a penalty to leave them nine points down at the break.
With the conditions worsening, the home side then scored three tries back to back through scrum-half Mike Austin, the dominant Benz-Solomon and winger Oliver Holiday to take the game away from their opponents.
The Pirates responded through captain Hugh Bokenham but Hartpury’s Sam Lewis put the game beyond doubt with just over 10 minutes to go.
The result leaves Hartpury in contention in Pool E, but effectively ends any Pirates hopes in the cup.
In the day’s other match between Championship clubs, Caldy were overwhelmed by visitors Doncaster Knights 43-19 in Pool A.
After a scrappy start, the home team took the lead through winger Will Robinson, who burst through a hole in midfield to dot down under the posts.
Doncaster responded quickly through number eight Morgan Strong, before hooker Matt Gallagher put the home team back in front following a line-out.
That was about as good as it got as it got for the home team, as the Knights piled on the pressure scoring tries through Zack Kerr and Tom Currie either side of half-time.
Further misery was inflicted by Jordan Olowofela, former England international Semesa Rokoduguni and Morgan Bunting before the home side scored a consolation try through Ollie Hearn with less than 10 minutes to go.
With three pool games to go, Caldy are all but out of the competition, while Doncaster face an uphill battle to make it through to the knock-out stages.
