English Premiership: Bristol continued to silence their doubters by moving top of the English Premiership after stinging unbeaten rivals Wasps 26-21 in a thrilling encounter.

Bristol's bonus-point victory - secured by tries from Darren Crompton, David Lemi, Dan Ward-Smith and Josh Taumalolo - took them two points clear of Gloucester and Wasps.

They have recorded three wins and a draw from the Premiership's opening four-game period, confounding bookmakers who made them relegation favourites just a few weeks ago.

Wasps were left shellshocked in front of an 11,000 Memorial Stadium crowd, although they did not help their cause by playing part of the game with 13 men when lock Simon Shaw and Irish prop Peter Bracken received yellow cards.

Bristol outhalf Jason Strange kicked three conversions, while Wasps replied with a Paul Sackey try double, two Dave Walder penalties and a penalty and conversion from Jeremy Staunton.

Ireland lock Leo Cullen was prominent in Leicester's 21-15 win away to Harlequins, who remain bottom of the table.

Leicester wing Tom Varndell touched down in the first minute, and though the home side led at the break with three Adrian Jarvis penalties, Scott Bemand got the visitors' second try and Paul Burke supplied the conversion and added three penalties.

Geordan Murphy played half the game at fullback before being replaced by Ollie Smith.

Outhalf Barry Everitt kicked seven penalties as London Irish won away at Newcastle, 26-21. Rick Flutey got the Exiles' only try. The falcons grabbed an early try through Tim Visser and a late one through Mark Mayerhofler, fullback Matt Burke kicking a conversion and three pentalties.