Bristol recovered from a 19-point deficit with 12 minutes remaining to win with the last kick of the match at Leicester, while Harlequins downed Northampton in a thriller at Twickenham.
Leicester seemed set to keep their slim hopes of European qualification alive as two Ollie Hassell-Collins tries and one from Francis van Wyk had them comfortably in front but Max Lahiff scored two tries and then Magnus Bradbury touched down after the 80-minute mark, with Alan MacGinty kicking the conversion.
The Big Summer Kick-Off was little less dramatic as Northampton held the lead at times in both halves but Quins roared on by a sell-out crowd at Rugby HQ powered home to victory in the closing stages.
Luke Northmore’s tries for the hosts sandwiched a five-pointer from Ollie Sleightholme and a third from Stephan Lewies had the hosts 19-13 in front at the break.
Cadan Murphy extended the lead but converted tries from James Ramm and Tom Litchfield had the visitors in front, before a late double from Will Porter ensured the Quins victory.
The results mean Bristol stay in fourth place ahead of Quins, with the battle for the top-four to go down to the wire. Northampton remain top, but the Tigers’ thoughts will now turn to next year.
