Round-Up: Bath leave their Best until last

Bath's Lee Best came off the bench to score the vital try in a 20-18 Guinness Premiership win over Newcastle yesterday.

Best's late effort was in the corner, but the fly-half Chris Malone kicked the conversion to take his contribution to 10 points and seal a win which hauls Brian Ashton's side away from the relegation places. Ollie Phillips and Anthony Elliott scored the Falcons' tries, with Matt Burke adding eight points with his boot. Salesi Finau, Bath's Tongan wing, scored his side's other try.

At Franklin's Gardens Northampton survived a late surge from Gloucester for a 21-20 win to help them away from the drop zone too.

Mark Easter and John Clarke scored tries for the Saints, who were also awarded a penalty try. Gloucester were also given a penalty try, with Peter Richards scoring their other five-pointer.