Aviva Premiership – 3rd September 2016: Harlequins 21, Bristol Rugby 19.
By Chris Tribe at Twickenham
Harlequins got their season off to a wining start as part of the annual London Double Header – but it was a mighty close shave and there will be much relief at The Stoop.
The first match of the post-Connor O’Shea era was not exactly a classic, but for newly-promoted Bristol it was a confidence booster to come so close to a surprise win. Indeed, if not for a highly questionable try given to Quins when centre Joe Marchant crossed the line after a clear forward pass, they may well have secured a fine win.
But after adjudication from the TMO it was declared legitimate, much to the chagrin of Bristol Director of Rugby Andy Robinson – and every Bristol player and fan no doubt. For all the world it looked forward and it was a tough break for Bristol.
Quins’ ever-reliable Kiwi fly-half Nick Evans did his usual solid job with the boot, and his three penalties ultimately sealed Bristol’s fate. But Bristol played well. They went for Quins right from the start and captured territory right from kick-off. Quins were forced to go into contact too often for their liking, such was the pressing of the ever-eager Bristol backs and forwards alike.
Individual errors must have sorely frustrated the new Quins Director of Rugby John Kingston. Skipper Danny Care found Bristol’s former England wing Tom Varndell with a sublime pass for their first try – pity it was an interception gifted to the opposition.
Care was also culpable for Bristol’s second try, never getting hold of Bristol’s fly-half Tusi Pisi in the tackle when he should surely have done better.
Quins wing Marland Yarde’s handling throughout was also a concern – not easy, to be fair, in driving rain throughout – but had his hands been sponsored by Cussons Imperial Leather, nobody would have been surprised.
Quins badly missed their ultra-competitive full-back Mike Brown, sidelined by a mystery infection according to the Club. His howitzer left boot was never compensated for by stand-in Ross Chisholm, who struggled to clear his lines and never found the distance or field position Brown is usually so reliable for.
Credit should be due to Quins who despite being behind right up until the 65th minute, somehow galvanised themselves to close out a victory. A losing bonus point will be scant consolation for Bristol, who must have expected more after playing well for so long – and in Samoan Tusi Pisi they had the best player on the pitch.
It was so near yet so far for Bristol, but many positives for them to take away, and a reminder to Quins that the individual errors on display at Twickenham, and a performance that stuttered way too often, could be punished far more severely on another day.
Chris Tribe
Next game: Sale Sharks (A) – Aviva Premiership – Friday 9th September, 8.15pm
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