Harlequins notched their second league win of the season at The Stoop with a
15-8 win over Bath - but only thanks to the boot of fly-half Paul Burke.
The south London side, who have had a disappointing start to the season, led
their rivals throughout the game but it was hardly a convincing performance from
either side.
Fly-half Burke got the ball rolling immediately, successfully converting a
penalty after three minutes, but from there it went downhill.
Burke followed his effort up with two further penalties but his kicking proved
to be the highlight of the afternoon with neither touching down in the first 40
minutes.
Bath in fact only managed to get three points on the board before the break
with a 19th-minute penalty by youngster Olly Barkley.
Both sides picked up the pace after the break with Irishman Burke building on
Quins' advantage with a fourth penalty, putting the home side 12-3 ahead.
Bath also looked sharper and fly-half Barkley started a move which saw the
first try of the afternoon finally scored.
The 19-year-old fed centre Alex Crockett before talented winger Tom Boyce made
some ground.
Scrum-half Andy Williams finally touched down to score from the left wing
after 59 minutes.
Barkley however made a mess of the conversion leaving Bath still trailing
12-8.
Quin's maintained the upper hand though and Mark Mapletoft added a fifth
penalty in the absence of Burke who was substituted.
Quins then looked like they were going to extend their lead further after
forward Pat Sanderson freed the ball and kicked it forward.
He chased the ball for 15 metres but failed to ground the ball sufficiently,
making the final score 15-8.
The result however will have done little to encourage Harlequins fans who are
beginning to question the ability of coach John Kingston.
The same goes for Bath coach Jon Callard with both sides having to go back to
the drawing board before they resume their European campaign next week in the
Heineken Cup.
Teams:
Harlequins:
Mapletoft, Moore, Burrows, Greenstock,
Jewell,
Burke, Bemand, Olver, Fuga, Dawson, Morgan, White-Cooper,
Sanderson, Tamarua, Diprose.
Replacements: O'Neill for Burke (63), Tiatia for Fuga (55),
Starr for Dawson (55), Codling for Diprose (68).
Not Used: Davison, J. Powell, Bell.
Pens: Burke 4, Mapletoft.
Bath:
Bellinger, Thirlby, Crockett, Cox, Voyce,
Barkley,
Williams, D. Barnes, Regan, Mallett, Gabey, Beattie, G. Thomas,
N. Thomas, Lyle.
Replacements: Danielli for Thirlby (79), Long for Regan (68),
Emms for Mallett (62).
Not Used: Chrystie, E. Barnes, Scaysbrook, El Abd.
Tries: Williams. Pens: Barkley.
Att: 5,328
Ref: Chris White (RFU).
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