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Championship highfliers Ealing beat Premiership side Saracens 29-19 in the opening round of the Premiership Rugby Cup.

The reigning second-tier champions - who were denied promotion to the top flight last season due to the size of their ground not meeting the league's requirements - scored five tries against a much-changed Saracens side.

Rob Farrar went over in the first minute and Reuben Bird-Tulloch crossed soon after as Ealing led 12-0 after six minutes.

Bird-Tulloch's second try and a penalty try saw Ealing lead 24-0 as Saracens had Phil Brantingham and Toby Knight sent to the sin bin.

Brandon Jackson-Richards pulled a try back for Sarries just before half-time, but Angus Kernohan got Ealing's fifth try four minutes after the break to extend their lead to an unassailable 29-5.

Harry Wilson and a late second try for Jackson-Richards made it respectable for the Premiership's fourth-placed side as Ealing - second in the Championship - continued their good form in the competition.

They were the only second-tier side to make it out of the group stages last season and are level at the top of Pool C with Harlequins.

Ealing's win was the only upset of the day as Premiership sides beat second-tier opponents in the day's other five matches.

Gloucester had the nerviest afternoon as they won 31-26 at close neighbours Hartpury.

The Cherry and Whites led 26-14 at half-time having secured a four-try bonus point before the break.

A penalty try with nine minutes to go gave Hartpury hope as Gloucester had Freddie Clarke and Josh Hathaway sent to the sin-bin, but the Championship side could not find what could have been a winning try as Gloucester join Exeter at the top of Pool E.

Harlequins also won at near neighbours as Hayden Hyde scored twice in their 35-22 win over London Scottish at the Richmond Athletic Ground.

Newcastle returned from the Wirrall with a bonus point in Pool A after a 33-12 win at Caldy while Bristol cruised to a 67-19 win over Bedford at Ashton Gate in their Pool D match.

Kalaveti Ravouvou and Harry Thacker each scored two tries as the Bears scored seven tries in the first half and four after the break.

But Bath claimed the biggest win of the day as they thrashed Ampthill 73-0 at Dillingham Park.

Kepu Tuipulotu scored a first-half hat-trick while Ruaridh McConnochie and Ethan Staddon crossed twice as the Premiership side scored 11 tries.

It put them top of Pool D ahead of Bristol on points difference as the first round of games came to a close.