Doncaster Knights

A spirited performance from Bristol have taken them close to a Premiership return after they defeated Doncaster Knights by 28-13 in the Championship play-off final first leg.

Doncaster and Bristol prevailed in the second leg of their play-off semi finals to set up an extremely intriguing promotion decider writes Lewis Hughes.

Impressive away victories for both Bristol Rugby and Doncaster Knights on Sunday has put both in pole position to meet in the Championship play-off final, writes Lewis Hughes.

Championship title contenders Bristol, Yorkshire Carnegie and Doncaster have all met minimum standards criteria that would allow them to play in the Aviva Premiership next season.

Ahead of this weekends Semi-final fixtures Worcester have to beat a four year droubt for English sides against Leinster A, and 10th place in the Championship Doncaster take on 2nd Bristol.

With over 100 caps to his name for Nottingham Rugby Club in the RFU Championship – one of the toughest leagues out – Alex Shaw is an experienced campaigner in England’s second tier but the back rower has decided to move onto pastures new ahead of 2014/15 season.

Two yellow cards in the last half hour finally derailed a brave Richmond effort against league leaders Doncaster Knights.

Watch match highlights and post-match reaction as Flyde beat league leaders Doncaster 25-17 in SSE National League 1