Prem Rugby Cup: Leicester Tigers and Exeter Chiefs top their groups after wins

Leicester Tigers guaranteed themselves a place in the home semi-finals of the Prem Rugby Cup with victory over Harlequins to top Group B.

The 33-27 win at Mattioli Woods Welford Road opened the gap over Leicester City, who had never won the tournament before, by nine points, with one game remaining over second-placed Northampton Saints.

Meanwhile, Exeter Chiefs went top of Group A with a convincing win over Bath to secure their place in the semi-finals.

Dan John scored twice for the Chiefs as the hosts secured a 31-19 bonus-point victory to move four points clear of second-placed Gloucester.

Will Butt gave Bath the lead in the eighth minute but Exeter hit back with three tries in 10 minutes to take a 19-7 lead at the break, before claiming the win in the second half.

They will be guaranteed a home draw if Gloucester fail to beat Bath in the final round of matches next weekend.

Should the Cherry and Whites win a bonus point at the Recreation Ground, the Chiefs will travel to face the Tigers.

A 72nd-minute penalty attempt proved to be the decisive moment as Leicester beat bottom side Harlequins.

Tries from Josh Bellamy, Luke Northmore and Stu Townsend canceled out scores from Jamie Blamire and Will Wand to give Quins a three-point lead at half-time.

A second try for both Bellamy and Wand, after Ryan Crawley had put Leicester ahead, made the game level at 26-22 for the Tigers with 16 minutes left.

Quins prop Sam Bland was sent to the sin-bin for a set-piece infringement that led to a penalty try, with Northmore pulling one back with a try on 80 minutes to secure a losing bonus point for Quins, who remained rooted at the bottom of the group.