Gloucester Sink The Saints

In a battle of the boots, Gloucester's French outside half Ludovic Mercier came out on top with five penalties to three by former England star Paul Grayson. Andy Gomersall added a late drop goal for the Cherries.

The Heineken Cup champions Leicester Tigers ground out a 9-6 win over PARKER PEN CHALLENGE CUP side London Wasps at Adam's Park. There wasn't a try in the 80 minutes and no points were scored in the second half. Leicesr full back Tim Stimpson kicked three first half penalties and they were enough to outdo the two kicked by Wasps' Mark van Gisbergen.

In the battle between the two PARKER PEN CHALLENGE CUP teams at The Stoop, NEC Harlequins came out on top against Bath, winning 18-9.

Former Springbok skipper Andre Vos made his debut for the Quins, who had England centre Will Greenwood playing at outside half. Greenwood grabbed one of his side's two tries, wing Matt Moore getting the other, and the rest of the home scoring was completed by Aussie full back Nathan Williams. Bath could only manage three penalties from Olly Barkley.

Leeds Tykes piled on the pressure in the second half to overcome an eight point interval deficit and beat fellow Parker Pen Challenge Cup side Saracens 27 - 18 in the Zurich Premiership.

Former Springbok start Braam van Straaten edged the home side ahead in the second half with three successive penalties and wing Chris Hall added a try. Gordon Ross kicked a last gasp drop goal to make victory safe.

The Saracens led at the break thanks to tries from international forwards Richard Hill and Christian Califano.

Newcastle Falcons have lost 16-24 London Irish at home to London Irish.

Barry Everitt, man of the match in London Irish's Heineken Cup triumph over Edinburgh in round two, put the boot into Newcastle Falcons as he kicked the Exiles to victory to lift his side out of the bottom two in the Zurich Premiership.

Everitt helped himself to six penalties and two drop goals during the game, although the Falcons were ahead at half-time thanks to a try from Jamie Noon.

On Friday night, Sale Sharks outscored their Heineken Cup colleagues Bristol Shoguns three tries to one in a 28-14 triumph.