EDF Energy Cup round-up

HOLDERS Ospreys will renew their rivalry with Gloucester in this season's EDF Energy Cup semi-finals.

The teams met twice in last season's Heineken Cup, each winning at home, but they now meet on neutral territory at Coventry's Ricoh Arena.

Ospreys reached the semi-finals for a third successive season after surviving a major scare against Madejski Stadium hosts London Irish.

The star-studded Welsh region lost 23-19, but a losing bonus point proved enough for them to progress. Gloucester won their pool, courtesy of an 11-10 success at Newcastle, while the other semi-final on March 28 will be Cardiff Blues against Northampton.

The Blues sealed a semi-final place after victory over Bath, while Northampton beat the Scarlets 33-20.

Gloucester left it late at Kingston Park as an Apo Satala try four minutes from time took them through. Jon Golding's touchdown for Newcastle appeared to have won it for the Falcons.

Winger Iain Balshaw then had the home defence stretched when he switched to the opposite flank and cut deep into the hosts' 22, but his subsequent pass out to Lesley Vainikolo was adjudged forward.

The Falcons were under considerable pressure and it took them until the 18th minute to cross halfway, courtesy of a Steve Jones clearance helped into touch by the visitors' full-back to give them the lineout throw.

It was first blood to the Falcons when prop-forward Golding was driven over for the try. Rob Miller added the conversion points but Gloucester hit back straight from the restart, and when a 35-metre penalty came their way, Barkley made no mistake.

Tom May was hustled off the ball by Mike Tindall as they gave chase into the Gloucester 22, but when play swung back to the other end, Newcastle were penalised for not releasing at a ruck, and Barkley took full advantage to reduce his side's deficit to 7-6.

Barkley was off target with a penalty but Newcastle turned down a similar kick and it almost paid off when Phil Dowson stormed into the 22.

When Gloucester infringed again, however, Newcastle replacement fly-half Rory Clegg elected to kick and his long-range effort sailed over to stretch the home lead to 10-6.

Gloucester at last went ahead, when replacement flanker Satala stormed over for a try. Barkley failed with the conversion.