Bristol 42 Doncaster 7: Doncaster succumb to Bristol as heavy schedule takes its toll

Bristol made amends for their shock 26-22 defeat at Castle Park in October, a six-tries-to-one victory ensuring they will finish top of the Championship.

But while the Knights have as good as booked their place in the end-of-season promotion shake-up, they must wait until March 13 for confirmation.

They were always going to be up against it last night as they played their sixth game in 18 days against a side who had won their previous 12 league matches.

Doncaster trailed 21-0 at the interval after conceding three unanswered tries during a first half which the hosts dominated.

Powerful No 8 James Phillips drove over from close range to give the hosts the lead, with Adrian Jarvis converting.

Lee Robinson started and finished the move that led to the second try, kicking ahead and then pouncing on Norton's hack through to score, before gathering Jarvis's grubber to score a third Bristol try.

Phillips powered over after half-time to secure the bonus point before Chris Hallam capped a spell of Doncaster pressure with a deserved try, which James Brooks converted.

Bristol had the last say after the Knights had Andy Boyde yellow-carded for killing the ball, with Redford Pennycook grabbing a fifth home try and Norton claiming a sixth.