Championship play-offs: Doncaster and Bristol gain semi-final advantage

Hooker Ross McMillan scored one of Bristol's six tries at Goldington Road

Doncaster and Bristol both gained a big advantage in the Championship play-offs by winning their semi-final first leg.

The Knights survived a late Yorkshire Carnegie comeback to win 30-17 in their away leg at Headingley.

Bristol were even bigger victors as they ran in six tries in a 45-16 win against Bedford at Goldington Road.

The second leg takes place next Sunday, 8 May at Ashton Gate at 15:15 BST while Doncaster's return match will kick off at Castle Park at 14:30 BST.

Tries from Will Hurrell, Andrew Bulumakau and a penalty try have given the Knights a 13-point lead to take into the second leg with Carnegie's retiring fly-half Kevin Sinfield scoring one of their three tries.

Bristol boss Andy Robinson is hopeful of finally leading his side to the Premiership

Bristol, beaten in the two-leg final by just a point at Worcester a year ago, finished the regular Championship season last weekend with a 39-6 win at Bedford.

They scored four first-half tries through Ollie Robinson, James Phillips, Ross McMillan and Jack Wallace with Philips adding another after the break and Jack Tovey got a sixth try.

Hooker Charlie Clare got Bedford's only try while stand-off Jake Sharp kicked three penalties as well as a conversion.