Harlequins 35-28 Bath
By Nick Powell
Harlequins kept their slim hopes of a top-four finish alive with a vital bonus-point win over Bath after a thrilling game at the Twickenham Stoop.
Harlequins deservedly led at half time thanks to two tries including an extraordinary interception try.
The hosts continued their dominance after the break with two tries inside 5 minutes, before a late rally from Bath earned them a bonus point.
The game was really defined by four quarters that were all very different.
In the first 5 minutes, Quins had an 8-0 lead thanks to a penalty and then a bizarre try. Easter stuck a hand out, the ball flew forward and somehow was re-gathered by Easter who offloaded to Harry Sloan who gave Quins a lead. Bath had the better of the next 15 and cut the gap to five.
It was at this point that Quins came to life and started playing attractive rugby. They were getting within touching distance of the line and after Chris Cook's sin bin, moved into a 14-6 lead. Thanks to that sin bin, there was space out wide for another try after they'd worked their way up field.
As the second half began, Quins threatened to run riot. Charlie Walker added his second after scoring in the first half with an interception and Quins moved up the field with their momentum and James Horwill earned Quins the bonus point after sustained pressure.
The last twenty minutes saw Bath dramatically rally as they scored 22 unanswered points to earn a losing bonus point of their own. Mafi, Williams and Rokoduguni all scored as Quins began to panic, but they held on for an important win
Harlequins kept their slim hopes of a top-four finish alive with a vital bonus-point win over Bath after a thrilling game at the Twickenham Stoop.
Harlequins deservedly led at half time thanks to two tries including an extraordinary interception try.
The hosts continued their dominance after the break with two tries inside 5 minutes, before a late rally from Bath earned them a bonus point.
The game was really defined by four quarters that were all very different.
In the first 5 minutes, Quins had an 8-0 lead thanks to a penalty and then a bizarre try. Easter stuck a hand out, the ball flew forward and somehow was re-gathered by Easter who offloaded to Harry Sloan who gave Quins a lead. Bath had the better of the next 15 and cut the gap to five.
It was at this point that Quins came to life and started playing attractive rugby. They were getting within touching distance of the line and after Chris Cook's sin bin, moved into a 14-6 lead. Thanks to that sin bin, there was space out wide for another try after they'd worked their way up field.
As the second half began, Quins threatened to run riot. Charlie Walker added his second after scoring in the first half with an interception and Quins moved up the field with their momentum and James Horwill earned Quins the bonus point after sustained pressure.
The last twenty minutes saw Bath dramatically rally as they scored 22 unanswered points to earn a losing bonus point of their own. Mafi, Williams and Rokoduguni all scored as Quins began to panic, but they held on for an important win
Photo: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35759321
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