Ealing and Gloucester through, wait for Tigers in cup

Josh Bassett runs away to score for Leicester Tigers against Coventry

Ealing Trailfinders and Gloucester secured their places in the quarter-finals of the Premiership Rugby Cup following a frantic penultimate day of action.

Harlequins, Exeter Chiefs and Bath all topped their pools despite losing their final group matches, but Leicester Tigers face an anxious wait to see if they have a future in the competition ahead of Newcastle Falcons' match with Sale Sharks in pool A tomorrow.

Despite beating Bath, Bristol Bears have been knocked out of the competition due to Leicester's superior points difference after their thrashing of Coventry.

In the day's other fixtures, there were also wins for Bedford Blues, Cornish Pirates, and Doncaster.

Gloucester through following Sandy Park tussle

In Pool E, Gloucester proved too strong for West country rivals Exeter Chiefs, winning 22-14 at Sandy Park.

The home team scored first with Stu Townsend darting in from five metres out before Louis Hillman-Cooper responded shortly afterwards for the Cherry and Whites.

Jack Cotgreave and Josh Hodge traded tries, before the away team were awarded a penalty try following an adjudged deliberate knock-on to seal the win and secure an away tie in the quarter-finals.

Cornish Pirates defeated Hartpury 43-7 in the bottom of the pool clash. Gavin Cattle's men looked the stronger from the off, securing the bonus-point victory with tries from Iwan Price-Thomas, Cam Jones, Will Trewin, Charlie McCaig and a brace from Sol Moody.

Ealing beat London rivals to make last eight

In Pool C, Ealing qualified for the quarter-finals, beating local rivals London Scottish 35-15 at Trailfinders Sports Ground. The home team never looked troubled scoring early tries through Francis Moore and Will Montgomery, before a further effort from Craig Hampson in the second half.

Like Gloucester, they await the result of tomorrow's match to determine who they will play in the next round.

Saracens' 29-30 victory over local rivals Harlequins was not enough to qualify for the quarter-finals.

After repeated Quins phases, Wyn Jones drove over for the first points of the day, before Tobias Elliott fed Brandon Jackson for a quick-fire response.

Stephan Lewis restored Quins' lead with a close-range effort before Alex Dombrandt ran through two Sarries defenders to dive over in the corner.

Tries for Max Eke and Elliott either side of half-time put Sarries ahead, before Tyrone Green broke down the wing to restore Quins' lead.

Jack Bracken responded for the away side, before a late penalty kick from Louie Johnson sealed Sarries' victory.

Harlequins' Alex Dombrandt looks for a gap against Saracens

Leicester give themselves chance to progress

In the winner-takes-all match in Pool B, Leicester defeated Coventry 68-26 to seal their place in the knockout stages.

The Tigers started the stronger as Finn Theobald-Thomas powered over from a rolling maul, before Will Wand got on the scoreboard against his former team.

Aaron Hinckley responded for the home side, recovering a kick ahead to score, before a quick-fire Josh Bassett brace put the game beyond Coventry.

Further tries from Emeka Ilione, Jamie Shillcock, Tom Whiteley, Finn Carnduff, Wand and Kyle Hatherall followed for the Tigers, with consolation efforts from Oli Morris, Jevaughn Warren and Josh Barton ensuring the home side got a try bonus point.

Bristol out on points difference

In Pool D, Bristol missed out on the knock-out stages in agonising fashion, despite defeating local rivals Bath 40-21.

Fitz Harding was first over the whitewash for the home side, before Bath responded through Ruaridh McConnochie's effort in the corner.

Ratu Naulago got the Bears' second before Bath took the lead through opportunistic scores from Cam Redpath and Tom Carr-Smith.

Bill Mata levelled the scores for Pat Lam's men just before half-time before Harry Byrne, Harry Rowson and Sam Wolstenholme secured the win, but last week's loss to Bedford proved to be their undoing as they go out on points' difference.

For Bath, a home quarter-final against Harlequins awaits.

In the dead-rubber between Ampthill and Bedford, the away team came away with a comfortable 7-21 victory with tries from Louis James, Tommy Herman and Fred Tuilagi.

Easy win for Doncaster

Doncaster defeated a hapless Caldy 48-0 in the day's only Pool A clash, with scores from Morgan Bunting, Archie Smeaton, Sam Wadsworth, Ben Chapman and braces from Maliq Holden and Semesa Rokoduguni making the difference.