Durham and RGS Newcastle into semis

RGS, whose juggernaut pack has been the foundation of an unbeaten season, travelled to Oakham and surprised them by taking the game wide. They scored three tries by striking from deep after turning over the ball in defence to lead 22-5 at half time.

Oakham, also unbeaten until Wednesday,doggedly chased the game but eventually lost 32-22.

'I saw Newcastle win a forward battle at Lancaster in the last round,' said Oakham coach Charles Welch, ' but their backs had a very good day against us. It will take a very good side to stop them now.'

Durham, who have suffered the anguish of loing three semi-finals at Castlecroft in the past four seasons, blitzed King's Worcester with three tries in the first 20 minutes and won 33-10 with full back Tim Heslop grabbing a hat-trick of tries.

Durham now play Pangbourne in the semi-finals at Castlecroft on March 10 with RGS taking on the winners of Campion, Hornchurch and St Peter's, Gloucester.