Rugby Union / Round-Up: Wasps retain sting

AWAY from the celebrations at the Recreation Ground the other League One sides went through the motions, with little at stake but pride. At Sudbury, Chris Braithwaite steered Wasps to a 24-11 victory against Northampton. Deputising for the injured Rob Andrew, Braithwaite collected 16 points in all, and his try and conversion late in the second half stole the game from Saints, who had led 11-3 at half time.

Poor, doomed Newcastle Gosforth gifted Bristol a try straight from the kick-off, and blew the chance to go down in style. Michael Dungait, making his debut at scrum half for Newcastle, had his first pass intercepted, and Alastair Saverimutto ran the ball in. After that Bristol sat back and relied on Mark Tainton's penalty kicks for a comfortable 22-13 victory. Gloucester dismissed their last, faint relegation fears with a brave, late win over Orrell. The game was tied at 25-25 in the final quarter but the home forwards drove on relentlessly for their scrum-half, Bruce Fenley, to find a slender gap and dive over for the winning try.

It was a fine day for London Scottish: not only did they defeat the League Two leaders West Hartlepool 24-22; Rugby's heavy defeat at the hands of Saracens keeps the Scots' hopes of survival alive. The other beneficiaries of the Scottish performance were Sale, whose 41-7 defeat of Nottingham sets up a championship decider with West Hartlepool next weekend.

In Division One in Wales Pontypool swapped League places with fellow stragglers Dunvant after an 18-3 victory, but still need to win their last game to make sure they stay up.