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16:58 GMT, Sunday, 19 October 2008 17:58 UK

European Challenge Cup R2 review

Worcester wing Rico Gear

Worcester took charge of Pool Three in the European Challenge Cup with a 53-17 victory over Bucuresti in Romania.

The visitors led 25-12 at the break with tries from wing Rico Gear, scrum-half Ryan Powell and a penalty try.

And they cut loose after half-time, Craig Gillies, Sam Tuitupou, Gear and Joe Carlisle all crossing to complete a convincing victory.

The Warriors lead the pool by five points following Bourgoin's shock 29-28

home defeat to Italian side Petrarca.

Worcester powered to a nine-try 55-6 opening win over Petrarca last weekend.

Northampton continued their fine start to the competition with a 51-7 thrashing of Montpellier.

Saints, who last week destroyed Toulon in France, added another bonus-point win at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.

First-half tries from Scott Gray, Joe Ansbro and a penalty try set Northampton on their way.

Chris Ashton, Soane Tonga'uiha and Paul Diggin crossed after the break while an undisciplined Montpellier had Julien Tomas and Fabian Rofes sent off.

Tomas was sent off in the first half for punching while Rofes was dismissed after the break for stamping.

Saracens made it two wins out of two with a hard-fought 35-12 victory over Viadana in Italy - fly-half Glen Jackson ending up with 23 points.

606: DEBATE
How will English clubs fare in the European Challenge Cup this season?

The teams were evenly matched early on, with six Jackson penalties putting the visitors 18-12 ahead.

But it was not until the 70th minute that victory was assured, Neil de Kock breaking from halfway to score while Kameli Ratuvou added another try in the final minute.

Bristol got their campaign back on track after their opening round loss against Montpellier with a 39-11 win at home to Toulon on Friday.

Vungakoto Lilo's try and 14 points from Adrian Jarvis gave Bristol a 19-11 lead at half-time and Dan Ward-Smith and Joe El Abd added late tries for the hosts.

Two second-half tries from Topsy Ojo saw London Irish win 27-10 at Connacht.

Scores from Elvis Seveali'i and Seilala Mapusua helped the Exiles into a 12-7 half-time lead and Ojo saw Irish home.

On Thursday, former Leicester fly-half Andy Goode scored 21 points, including a try and five penalties, as Brive sent Newcastle home empty-handed.

A Ronnie Cooke try and two penalties from Goode, with Rory Clegg replying, gave Brive a 13-5 half-time lead.

Tim Visser's try cut Brive's lead to 19-15 after an hour.

But converted tries from Johan Van Zyl and Jean-Baptiste Pejoine gave Brive a four-try bonus point in their 36-22 victory, with Ollie Phillips' late try little consolation.




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Related to this story:

Bates urges Newcastle to improve (13 Oct 08 |  Newcastle )
Connacht excited by 'glamour' tie (14 Oct 08 |  London Irish )
Bristol outclassed by Montpellier (10 Oct 08 |  Rugby Union )
Worcester secure huge Cup victory (11 Oct 08 |  Rugby Union )

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