Saracens demolish Newcastle to claim play-off berth

Saracens claimed an unlikely spot in the Prem Rugby Cup play-offs, scoring seven unanswered tries to demolish the hapless Newcastle Red Bulls 43-0 at the StoneX Stadium.

Requiring a bonus point victory and a healthy swing in points difference to qualify at their opponent's expense - Saracens dominated from the start.

Brandon Jackson was the first over the whitewash, powering over in the corner after Louie Johnson's pinpoint pass.

Luke Davidson, on his first senior start for the club, scored next before Tayo Adegbemile burst through some half-hearted Red Bulls defending to dive under the posts for a third.

The rout continued after the break. Nathan Michelow added the bonus point try and with Newcastle generating no forward momentum of any kind, Saracens added three more through Charlie Bracken, Ivan van Zyl and Angus Hall to secure their progression in the competition.

Mark McCall's men will travel to Gloucester in the semi-finals.

Bath signed off from their Prem Rugby Cup campaign in style, overcoming a listless Sale Sharks 20-0 at the Recreation Ground while also denying the visitors a home semi-final.

The hosts showed intent from the first whistle, Dan Frost scoring within the first five minutes following a set of powerful pick and drives from close range.

Playing in grim conditions, Sam Winters came nail-bitingly close to a second before Tom de Glanville skidded over in the corner as the Sale defence found itself outnumbered once the ball was spread wide.

Arthur Green added a third after Tom Carr-Smith's quick tap penalty before Tom Butt claimed a fourth, making the most of an opportunistic cross-field kick.

Despite the loss, the Sharks still qualify for the play-offs but now face an away trip to Leicester Tigers in the semi-finals.

In the Pool A dead-rubber, Exeter Chiefs overcame Bristol Bears with a hard fought 22-17 win at Sandy Park.

Will Rigg was the first on the scoresheet, crashing over the line from short-range before captain Louie Gulley extended the Chiefs' lead.

Aidan Boshoff responded for the visitors following Max Lahiff's drive upfield before Rigg secured a deserved second after the break.

Not to be outdone, Boshoff then claimed a brace of his own with 10 minutes to go, but Bristol were unable to breach the home defence in the dying moments and finished bottom of the pool.