Premiership Rugby Cup: Doncaster Knights overcome Sale Sharks in huge upset, Saracens return to winning ways

Doncaster Knights delivered a shock result in the Premiership Rugby Cup on Friday to beat top-flight side Sale Sharks by a point. Sale missed a decisive conversion in a thrilling finale to the match at the Salford Community Stadium, as Doncaster held on for a valuable victory. "We knew we had to go somewhere dark to beat this team," try-scorer Telusa Veainu said after the match.

Doncaster Knights produced a mammoth upset as they came from behind to beat Sale Sharks in the Premiership Rugby Cup on Friday.

Telusa Veainu and Semesa Rokoduguni were among the try scorers in a slim 20-19 victory in Pool A, which was the Championship club's second of the campaign from their opening four matches.

Gallagher Premiership side Sale went 7-0 ahead in the early stages after Rekeiti Ma'asi-White's third-minute try.

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But an Alex Dolly penalty reduced the deficit on 35 minutes before George Roberts and Maliq Holden combined for Veainu to pull the visitors ahead shortly after the interval.

Joe Bedlow struck back almost instantly for Sale, but a Rokoduguni effort put the underdogs back in front with just over 10 minutes to go.

Dolly extended Doncaster's lead with another penalty, before a late Sale try looked to have won it for the hosts.

But they missed the decisive conversion and with just one point separating the teams, setting up a frantic finish.

Doncaster, though, managed to hold on for a stunning victory.

Veainu finishes sublime move as Doncaster edge ahead of Sale in Prem Rugby Cup clash

Video credit: TNT Sports

"We had to go somewhere we've never been before," Player of the Match Veainu explained after the match. "We knew we had to go somewhere dark to beat this team.

"They're a quality outfit, and we're just really happy to get a result."

Saracens down Scottish without reply

It was an important victory for Saracens, who beat London Scottish 20-0 as they bounced back from a shock defeat to Ealing Trailfinders last week.

An Oscar Wilson double and a Hugh Tizard effort secured the points for the Premiership side, who now sit three points behind second-placed Harlequins in Pool C, having played an extra game.

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Elsewhere, Bedford Blues beat Bristol Bears 23-14 at Goldington Road, while Gloucester were held to a 7-7 draw against Hartbury.

Ma'asi-White ‘powers through’ Doncaster defence to give Sale early lead

Video credit: TNT Sports

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