Bristol's Luke Eves is halted in his tracks © Getty Images

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Leeds Carnegie emerged 38-31 winners after a tight encounter with London Welsh at Headingley Carnegie in the first leg of their RFU Championship semi-final.

The victory marked Leeds' first win over London Welsh this season, but the home side had to endure a nervous final few minutes as Welsh came within five points of taking the lead. The match was played in difficult conditions with a gale blowing through Headingley, but Leeds fly-half Glyn Hughes put in an assured performance with the boot to claim the win.

Welsh outscored Leeds on the try count, with two scores from Alan Awcock and a penalty try awarded after Mike Myerscough was sin binned for knocking down a Welsh pass. Leeds managed two tries of their own via Rob Vickerman and Fred Burdon, but it was Hughes' man of the match performance that kept them in front.

Welsh were able to eat into Leeds' advantage as the home side conceded three penalties with the match drawing to a close, but a last-minute penalty from Alex Lozowski ensured the Yorkshire club take a seven point advantage to the Kassam Stadium next Sunday.

In the other tie, favourites Bristol edged the first leg of their RFU Championship semi-final beating Rotherham 17-14 at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

It was a match played in blustery conditions and the boot of Juan Pablo Socino gave Rotherham a 9-0 lead at the break as he slotted three penalties despite his side being on the back foot for much of the first 40. Come the second-half Bristol came out all guns blazing and took advantage of Rotherham having Josh Thomas-Brown sin-binned for punching with Gaston Cortes the man left holding the ball over the try line as Bristol exploited the one-man advantage to score from a driving lineout.

Bristol continued to hammer away at Rotherham's line but some wayward kicking from the tee from Nicky Robinson meant Rotherham kept their narrow 9-5 lead. But that soon changed when Luke Eves scored for Bristol after Auguy Slowik made an impressive break and with 12 minutes left, Rotherham were once again reduced to 14 men with Ed Williamson yellow carded for killing the ball. Despite some heroic defence - Rotherham held up Bristol twice over the line - the home side eventually scored with Mitch Eadie going over.

However it was the away side who had the final say of the match with Jamie Broadley dotting the ball down in the corner which leaves Bristol with a narrow three-point lead heading into the return leg at Clifton Lane on May 17.