European Rugby Challenge Cup: Sale sunk by Cardiff Blues on Sunday
A round-up of the weekend's action in the European Challenge Cup as Sale Sharks were sunk 14-6 by Cardiff Blues.
European Champions Cup results (Dec 15-17)
Sunday December 10
- Cardiff 14-6 Sale
Saturday December 9
- Lyon 21-11 Toulouse
- Gloucester 69-12 Zebre
- London Irish 20-26 Stade Francais
- Connacht 55-10 CA Brive
Friday December 8
- Dragons 25-27 Newcastle
- Bordeaux Begles 36-27 Enisey
- Edinburgh 78-0 Krasny Yar
- Oyonnax 27-20 Worcester
Sunday review
Cardiff Blues strengthened their hopes of a quarter-final place by beating Sale Sharks 14-6 at the Arms Park.
Wales internationals Gareth Anscombe and Matthew Morgan combined to score the Blues' points, which put them clear in Pool Two.
They lead Lyon by four points with two games to go, while Toulouse are a further point behind and Sale prop up the group.
Saturday review
Winger Ollie Thorley ran in four tries as Gloucester coasted to a 69-12 European Challenge Cup Pool Three victory over winless Zebre.
The Cherry and Whites crossed for 11 tries with David Halaifonua (2), Freddie Clarke, William Safe, Charlie Sharples, Cameron Orr and Motu Matu'u also going over.
That sees Johan Ackermann's side sit second in the pool on 16 points after four games, three points adrift of leaders Pau.
Tony Ensor's last-minute converted try saw Stade Francais sneak a 26-20 win at London Irish in Pool Four.
Romain Martial scored an early try for the visitors but Scott Steele went over for the Exiles with Greig Tonks' conversion and penalty giving them a 10-5 half-time lead.
They extended that advantage with a penalty try before a Heinke van der Merwe try, converted by Shane Geraghty, reduced the deficit.
Waisea Vuidravuwalu's try, improved on by Geraghty, edged the French ahead but the Exiles reclaimed the lead through a Tonks penalty three minutes from the end before they were cruelly denied at the death.
Matt Healy scored four tries of his own as Connacht maintained their 100 per cent record in Pool Five with a comfortable 55-10 triumph over Brive.
Jack Carty added a try to his seven conversions and two penalties for a personal haul of 25 points.
Kieran Marmion and Thomas Farrell went over for the other tries for the Irish province.
In Saturday's late game, Lyon defeated French rivals Toulouse 21-11 in Pool Two - where Cardiff Blues and Sale Sharks meet on Sunday.
Friday review
Newcastle edged out the Dragons to maintain their 100 per cent European Challenge Cup record and cement top spot in Pool One with a 27-25 win at Rodney Parade.
The Falcons raced into an early lead following tries from Adam Radwan and Zach Kibirige.
The Dragons, though, fought back when hooker Elliot Dee scored from a driving maul before adding another try on 22 minutes which Gavin Henson converted before slotting over a penalty.
Newcastle led 24-17 at half-time after a penalty from Joel Hodgson and a converted try by Gary Graham.
Although Ashton Hewitt went over for the hosts early in the second half, a successful 40-metre penalty from Hodgson on 66 minutes restored Newcastle's breathing space.
After both sides saw further tries disallowed, it was the English side who closed out a fourth straight European win.
Elsewhere, Bordeaux Begles beat Enisey 36-27 to move above the Dragons into second place, seven points behind the Falcons.
In Pool Four, Edinburgh trashed Russians Krasny Yar Krasnoyarsk 78-0 at Murrayfield to also make it four straight wins.
The Scots ran in some 10 tries and Blair Kinghorn kicked five conversions during the first half.
Worcester's hope of progress into the last eight suffered a blow with a 27-20 defeat at Oyonnax, who recorded a first victory in Pool Five.
The Warriors could have moved above leaders Connacht, who will be out to extend a 100 per cent record at home against Brive on Saturday.
It was, though, the home side who produced the required performance on a freezing, snowy night in eastern France.
Julien Audy added a try to his two penalties and conversions as Oyonnax opened up a 20-3 lead at half-time on the artificial pitch.
Despite a second-half fightback with scores for Sam Olver and Alafoti Faosiliva, which secured a bonus point, it was not enough as the Top 14 side closed out a first win.