Jeremy Guscott made a winning return to Premiership rugby as Bath recorded their second successive five-point maximum.

Former England centre Guscott went on as a second-half substitute, his first taste of Premiership action since May last year.

The 35-year-old underwent groin surgery after announcing his retirement from international rugby during England's failed World Cup campaign 11 months ago, but he is determined to feature during his testimonial season.

Guscott could not cap his comeback with a try, but displayed many of his familiar traits as Bath claimed four touchdowns to finish comfortable winners against spirited and committed opponents.

Harlequins competed throughout, England centre Will Greenwood scoring two tries, and it took a late Nathan Thomas try to put daylight between the teams.

After running Wasps ragged at Loftus Road last Sunday, Bath discovered that Quins were made of much sterner stuff.

And it took a powerful forward effort, with Bath captain Ben Clarke in the driving seat, to keep Quins at bay, denying their coach Richard Hill a winning return to the Recreation Ground, a venue he once graced as Bath captain.

Exciting 21-year-old Iain Balshaw joined Guscott on the comeback trail, also making a substitute's appearance for his first start since undergoing groin surgery more than three months ago.

Bath were 10-0 up in as many minutes, wing Rob Filby rounding off a flowing move which left Harlequin's defenders breathless. Scrum-half John Preston, who finished with 18 points, converted after kicking an early penalty, but Quins responded through two penalties from their Irish fly-half Paul Burke.

Preston and Burke exchanged further penalties before Bath struck against the run of play, Filby and centre Mike Tindall combining to create the attacking platform from which Clarke crossed.

Preston's conversion put Bath 20-9 in front, but Greenwood's first try shortly after the re-start confirmed the Quins were in no mood to lie down and take their punishment.

Even when Bath wing Adebayo completed a crisp move which involved Guscott, the home side could not relax completely as Burke kicked another penalty and Greenwood claimed his second touchdown either side of a Preston penalty.

In the closing minutes, Quins flanker Steve White-Cooper was sin-binned for not releasing possession in a tackle, and Bath, as they had done in the first half when Quins replacement Andy Dawling was yellow-carded, made their one man advantage count.

Thomas was the beneficiary this time, Preston converting, and even though this was not vintage Bath, their Premiership campaign is up and running with two wins from three starts.

Teams:

Bath:

Tries: Thirlby, Clarke, A. Adebayo, N. Thomas.

Cons: Preston 3.

Pens: Preston 4. Bath: Perry, Thirlby, Maggs, Tindall, A. Adebayo, Catt, Preston, Barnes, Long, Mallett, Haag, Borthwick, Gardiner,Clarke, N. Thomas.

Replacements: Balshaw for Thirlby (46), Guscott for Tindall (46), Horsman for Mallett (63),G. Thomas for Clarke (79).

Not Used: Cooper, Mears, Gabey.Sin Bin: Horsman (80).

Harlequins:

Tries: Greenwood 2.

Pens: Burke 4.

Harlequins: Mapletoft, Greenstock, Greenwood, Burrows, Gollins,Burke, Richards, Leonard, Wood, Starr, Codling, Jones, White-Cooper, Jenkins, Sanderson.

Replacements: Powell for Richards (80), Dawson for Starr (58), Nias for Jenkins (80), Dawling for Sanderson (31).

Not Used: O'Neill, Friday, M. Williams.Sin Bin: Dawling (35), White-Cooper (77).

Att: 6,958

Ref: Ed Morrison (RFU).