Clinical and rampant Quins win in the West Country
Harlequins defeated Bristol Bears at a loud and wet Ashton Gate to secure all five points keeping the side from South West London third in the Gallagher Premiership.
Quins started the game at a rate of knots and were knocking on the Bristol Bears door immediately, scoring the first points of the game after a stunning finish in the corner from in-form Cadan Murley. Will Edwards slotted the conversion from out wide to give the side from South West London a seven-point lead.
Seconds later Murley doubled his try scoring tally. The home side threw a long ball out wide, but Murley was alert and intercepted the ball to race 70 metres to score. Once again, Edwards added the extras.
After just nine minutes, Bears joined in on the act and scored their first points of the game. Flanker Steven Luatua found space in the corner and powered his way past two Quins defenders to score.
With momentum swinging their way, Bears ran over the whitewash to score their second try. Forward Sam Jeffries slid over in the corner to bring the side from the West Country back within two points of Quins.
Despite being under pressure, Quins responded well, and number seven Tom Lawday powered his way over from short range to score.
Bears levelled the scoring on the 20-minute mark as Dave Atwood flew over under the sticks to bring the home side level.
Before half-time, Quins managed to secure the all-important bonus-point. A lovely offload from captain Stephan Lewies allowed lock Hugh Tizard to race away and fly over under the sticks.
Right on half-time scrum-half Danny Care was shown a yellow card for interference at the breakdown.
With a one man advantage the home side secured their fourth try and bonus-point as the Bears forward pack rumbled their way towards the line.
Welsh international Callum Sheedy put Bristol in front for the first time in the match with a successful penalty in front of the sticks.
Bristol Bears found themselves down to fourteen men as Fitz Harding was sent to the bin for a high tackle.
Quins made Bears pay with the resulting penalty as the forwards drove towards the line allowing hooker Jack Walker to score.
Impact Player Luke Northmore joined in on the act and chased a lovely Danny Care kick to slide over in the corner to extend Quins’ lead. Will Edwards was successful from the tee to more importantly move Harlequins nine points in front.
Harlequins managed to see the game out to keep Quins third in the table.
FULL TIME, BRISTOL BEARS 29 – 38 HARLEQUINS.
https://www.quins.co.uk/news/quins-defeat-bristol-bears-at-ashton-gate/
