London Scottish returned to winning ways after their second-half blitz against Munster A in the British & Irish Cup – and try-scorer Chevvy Pennycook has urged his side to keep their new-found momentum up.
The Exiles had entered cup duties off the back of four consecutive defeats in the Greene King IPA Championship and the game was finely poised heading into half-time at 8-8.
But Pennycook and Andrew Turner tries saw Scottish pull out to an unassailable lead in an exciting half, despite a late Munster consolation.
The match ended 27-25 in favour to the Exiles and Pennycook, one of the most experienced players in the team on the night, says his side must not let that start go to waste at an Ospreys Premiership Select Squad this Friday.
"We all really enjoyed the game and our second-half performance was especially pleasing. Our attack looked a look better and we felt we were dangerous whenever we had the ball in that second period,” the flanker told the club's official website.
"A lot of the younger boys came in and looked very hungry, which is exactly what we wanted."
Yorkshire Carnegie will travel to Munster after opening up Round One with a convincing 32-10 victory over Ospreys, a match that saw Kevin Sinfield grab his first points in rugby union since leaving Leeds Rhinos.
He kicked a penalty after coming off the bench but Championship player of the month Josh Bainbridge impressed again with a try-double, taking his season tally to nine tries from eight games.
There are two all-Championship ties to keep a particular look out for this weekend, as Ealing Trailfinders entertain Rotherham Titans and Cornish Pirates head to Nottingham.
Pirates, who won the inaugural British & Irish Cup in 2009/10, are bottom of the Championship table but bounced back into form themselves by beating London Welsh on Saturday.
Laurence May posted a man-of-the-match performance – slotting 13 points off the tee – but a solid set-piece was also the foundation for an eventual 28-21 victory.
Nottingham's own cup campaign started with a 20-20 draw at a Cardiff Blues Premiership Select side after fighting back from a 17-point deficit – indeed scoring 20 points in the first quarter-hour of the second half.
It's been nip-and-tuck between Pirates and Nottingham of late, with their last ten encounters in all competitions settled by six points or fewer, including two draws.
Meanwhile, Rotherham pushed Leinster A – winners in 2013 and 2014 – all the way before going down 12-9 at Clifton Lane.
They take on an Ealing side who, though second bottom in the Championship, are having no trouble racking up the points following their 39-31 defeat at the hands of Moseley.
Moseley, who unveiled their new stand before the game, scored five tries but it was two late penalties from Charlie Foley that sealed the win. They now face a trip to Donnybrook to take on Leinster A.
Nothing separated Jersey and Doncaster Knights at the weekend – Brendan Cope had a chance to win it for the Channel Islanders but his 40m penalty attempt sailed wide at the death to confirm a 22-22 draw.
Jersey will now head to Wales for a clash with Newport Gwent Dragons Premiership Select while last year's finalists Doncaster receive a visit from Connacht Eagles.
Bedford Blues followed up a fine win over Carnegie in the Championship by racking up 35 points on Scarlets Premiership Select, but must beat an in-form Ulster A this weekend.
Ulster recorded a 30-5 triumph over Championship leaders Bristol, who will aim to recover against Scarlets at Ashton Gate. Elsewhere, London Welsh will look to halt a three-game losing skid against Cardiff Blues.
Round two fixtures
Friday November 20
Leinster A v Moseley, kick-off 7.30pm
Ospreys Premiership Select v London Scottish, kick-off 7.30pm
Munster A v Yorkshire Carnegie, kick-off 8pm
Saturday November 21
London Welsh v Cardiff Blues Premiership Select, kick-off 2pm
Bedford Blues v Ulster 'A', kick-off 2.30pm
Doncaster Knights v Connacht Eagles, kick-off 2.30pm
Eailing Trailfinders v Rotherham Titans, kick-off 3pm
Sunday November 22
Bristol Rugby v Scarlets Premiership Select, kick-off 3pm
Newport Gwent Dragons Premiership Select v Jersey, kick-off 3pm
Nottingham Rugby v Cornish Pirates, kick-off 3pm
