Bristol Saracens battled back from trailing 17-5 10 minutes before the break to pile up 34 points without reply and ease past Old Richians 39-17 in front of visiting RFU chief executive Francis Baron to reach the Gloucestershire area semi-finals of the Senior Vase.

Martin Soby's try, against the run of play, gave Saracens an early lead before Richians took control with a penalty and two converted tries.

The home side appeared to be staring down the barrel at this point, but an opportunist try by skipper Jamie Lloyd and two long-range penalties from Josh Duddridge reduced the deficit to a point at the turnaround.

And Sarries maintained that momentum in the second half to eventually win with plenty to spare. Ian Werrett put his side in front with a well-taken score in the corner from a sweeping move and the winger crossed again soon after, taking advantage of a missed Richians kick to touch.

Replacement fly-half Nick Webster's solo score was then converted by Duddridge, who added two further penalties to clinch a Gloucestershire area semi-final on November 21 away to Whitehall, who received a walk-over from Matson.

Five first-half tries put Bishopston on course for a comfortable 46-18 RFU Junior Vase home win over Chipping Sodbury.

Wingers Nick Sleight and Sam Halabi-Ahma scored two tries apiece and hooker Rich Bond also crossed before half-time, with fly-half Jon Martin adding one conversion to establish a 27-13 interval lead.

And in the second half there were five-pointers from Martin, No 8 Lee Dunn and lock Will Dimond, with Martin slotting two conversions.

Bish go through to the Gloucestershire area semi-finals where they will face Painswick, 10-7 victors at Aretians, on November 21.

North Bristol have pulled out of tonight's Charles Saunders Combination Cup first-round clash with Cleve because of front-row availability problems.

Barton Hill and Southmead meet in the remaining opening-round clash on November 3. Already through to the quarter-finals are Avonmouth, Clevedon, Keynsham, holders Clifton, Hornets, Dings and Cleve.

Frampton Cotterell overcame Ashley Down 35-10 in the first round of the Charles Saunders Combination Vase and will now be away to St Bernadette's.

Old Bristolians eased into the second round of the Somerset Blackthorn Vase with a 58-12 win over Somerset Premier side Winscombe.

Steve Forster, Oli Pool, Jon Whiteman and captain Dan Evans each scored a brace of tries, with Liam De Glanville bagging the home side's ninth. Joel Keen and Ed Yarker added five conversions and a penalty.

Somerset Blackthorn Vase results: Avonvale 31 Butleigh Amateurs 17, Imperial 30 Nailsea & Backwell 3, Midsomer Norton 43 Sulians 12, Old Bristolians 58 Winscombe 12, Culverhaysians 40 Broad Plain 20, Wiveliscombe 45 Gordano 17, Avon w/o Combe Down, Castle Cary w/o St Brendan's, Chew Valley w/o Blagdon, Stothert & Pitt w/o Wyvern, Wellington w/o Bath Saracens, St Bernadette's w/o v Chard, Bristol Harlequins w/o Crewkerne, Morganians w/o Spaxton, Bristol Barbarians w/o Bath OEs.

Cleve winger Ian Clark was among the try-scorers as Gloucestershire Under-18s made it two from two, defeating Dorset & Wilts 27-24 at Bristol Grammar School. Next up for Gloucestershire are Somerset at Taunton on Sunday (noon).