Gloucester fall to flying Irish

London Irish registered their first victory at Kingsholm for eight seasons as the holders, Gloucester, went down 35-29 in the sixth round of the Powergen Cup. The in-form Exiles, who lifted the trophy in 2002, booked their quarter-final spot thanks to a brace of first-half tries from Paul Sackey, further touchdowns by Geoff Appleford and Justin Bishop, and the boot of Barry Everitt, which supplied three conversions, two penalties and a late drop goal. Simon Amor and Henry Paul went over for the Cherry and Whites, while Paul kept them in touch with a 100 per cent kicking display of two conversions and five penalties.

Leicester, like Gloucester, are struggling at home this season and suffered another defeat at Welford Road yesterday. With the scores tied at 28-28 after 80 minutes, visitors Sale rattled up a further 15 points without reply in extra time. Steve Hanley and Graeme Bond both claimed try doubles for the Sharks and Mark Cueto and Chris Mayor also breached the Tigers' defences. Neil Baxter, Jim Richards and Ollie Smith crossed for Leicester, who fielded Austin Healey at full-back despite his arduous trip Down Under last week on England stand-by duty.

Pertemps Bees prevailed 17-10 at home to Wakefield to claim their place in the last eight, but they slipped to third in National League One as leaders Worcester beat Plymouth Albion 43-17 and second-placed Orrell thrashed Coventry 32-8. Two tries from Scottish World Cup reject Brendan Laney helped Edinburgh to an unexpected 26-25 Celtic Cup semi-final win away to Connacht.