Challenge Cup round-up: London Irish beat Cardiff Blues at the death thanks to Curtis Rona try

London Irish score a flurry of late tries to beat Cardiff Blues, with Curtis Rona going over for the winner; Irish will face Bath in the quarter-finals after Stuart Hooper's side survived a scare against Zebre; Glasgow knocked out by Montpellier as Warriors rue lack of tries

By PA Media

Image: Nick Phipps celebrates after the final whistle at the Brentford Community Stadium

Curtis Rona's last-gasp try stole 14-man London Irish a dramatic 41-35 European Challenge Cup victory over Cardiff Blues.

Jarrod Evans' drop-goal put the Blues back into a 35-34 lead with time ticking away, but Irish broke the length of the field with centre Rona finishing in style.

Declan Kidney's side were forced to play the majority of the second half with 14 men after prop Will Goodrick-Clarke was sent off.

But Irish pulled victory out of the bag with a flurry of late tries to book a quarter-final trip to the Recreation Ground to face Bath.

Kristian Dacey, Josh Adams, Jason Harries and Lloyd Williams all crossed for Cardiff, with fly-half Evans slotting three conversions and two penalties to add to his late drop-goal.

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But Ollie Hassell-Collins scored two tries for Irish, who also had Ben Loader and Terrence Hepetema on the score sheet.

Former Ireland fly-half Paddy Jackson's five conversions and two penalties also proved pivotal for the hosts.

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Zebre 27-35 Bath

Bath had earlier set up that last-eight battle with Irish by fighting back to beat Zebre in Italy.

Beno Obano, Anthony Watson and Jacques du Toit plundered tries to drag the Blue, Black and Whites back from the brink with a 35-27 win over the Italians.

Pierre Bruno scored a hat-trick for Zebre, but the hosts were ultimately unable to hold off the Bath comeback.

Joe Cokanasiga and Will Stuart also crossed for five-try Bath, who now move into the last eight.

Paolo Pesetto posted two penalties to tee up a tense finale, but Bath ground home, with Du Toit's try proving crucial.

Montpellier 26-21 Glasgow Warriors

Glasgow fell to a 26-21 defeat away to Montpellier, who got tries through Guilhem Guirado and Anthony Bouthier.

England international Alex Lozowski converted both tries and kicked four penalties for a personal tally of 16 points in the Top 14 side's victory.

Adam Hastings kicked five penalties and Ross Thompson slotted two as the Warriors were left to rue a lack of tries in France.

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