Harlequins celebrated their sixth Zurich Premiership triumph in succession thanks to a well-earned 26-17 victory over Bristol Shoguns.
The rejuvenated Stoop outfit saw off a ferocious second-half comeback by the
west country side, who undid all their hard work after a disastrous late error
of judgement by former Quins winger Brendon Daniel.
But it was a deserved victory for the home side, who opened the scoring when
Paul Burke booted Harlequins into the lead with an early penalty.
A costly wayward pass by England centre Will Greenwood cancelled the home
side's advantage briefly after David Rees picked up and charged 70 metres
upfield to score.
But it did not take Quins long to reassert their authority. Fly-half Burke
converted another penalty before setting up replacement Ben Gollings to score.
Bristol's Felipe Contepomi's kick was interrupted by Greenwood and Burke
picked up and charged upfield before passing inside to Gollings. Burke converted
to give Harlequins a 13-5 lead at the break.
But Bristol were clearly not going to give up without a fight.
The visitors immediately applied the pressure after the restart, testing
Harlequins' defence to the maximum.
Their reward came when Daryl Gibson managed to muscle his way over the
try-line - and this time Contepomi converted.
Burke created a four-point cushion with a third penalty but again Bristol
bounced back in style with Rees' second try of the afternoon reducing the
deficit to just one point.
But it was a howler of an error by Bristol's Daniel which handed the home side
victory.
Attacking in Bristol's 22, Greenwood chipped the ball ahead but a chasing
Daniel looked like he had done enough to regain possession.
But the winger amazingly missed the ball and a waiting Greenwood pounced on
it. Burke duly converted to seal victory.
Teams:
Harlequins: N. Williams, Jewell, Greenwood, Bell, Luger, Burke,
Duncombe, Leonard, Fuga, Dawson, Davison, Codling, Tiatia, Vos,
Diprose.
Not Used: Miall, Cardinalli, Evans, Sheriff, Bemand, Gollings,
Satala.
Tries: Gollings, Greenwood.
Cons: Burke 2.
Pens: Burke 4.
Bristol: Best, Rees, Higgins, Gibson,
Daniel, Contepomi,
Pichot, Sheridan, Johnstone, White, Archer, A. Brown, Salter,
Oakley, Beattie.
Not Used: Crompton, Rowland, C. Morgan, S. Morgan, Richards,
Williams, Carrington.
Tries: Rees 2, Gibson.
Cons: Contepomi.
Att: 7,123
Ref: Steve Leyshon (RFU).
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