Match Centre: Harlequins 12-15 Bristol Bears
Harry Thacker was one of Bristol's try-scorer
©PA
Harlequins 12-15 Bristol Bears, Twickenham Stoop
Bristol Bears managed to hold off Harlequins as they registered a third consecutive win with a 15-12 margin over Harlequins in the 13th round of the Gallagher Premiership at Twickenham Stoop on Tuesday.
Despite the win, Bristol continue to remain at 10th place while Harlequins are at third after losing their fourth match in 10 games.
Harlequins suffered early injury setback with Will Evans was forced from the field after colliding his head with Bristol's Semi Radradra and was replaced by Tom Lawday.
Two minutes later, Bristol got the opening points with AJ MacGinty landing a three-pointer and in the 15th minute Harry Thacker scored the opening try at the back of a driving maul. This was also his seventh try from eight games.
MacGinty landed the conversion to extend the visitors' lead to 10 points.
The first response from Harlequins came in the 19th minute as Josh Bassett dived in the corner after good work from Andre Esterhuizen. Allan missed out on the conversion as the gap remained at five points.
Wing Gabriel Ibitoye further added to Harlequins' misery as he grabbed a long pass to touchdown for their second try but MacGinty's missed conversion meant Pat Lam's side completed the opening half with a 5-15 lead.
Ibitoye showed his defensive skill as he dived Danny Care a try early in the second half. Nevertheless, the Quins clawed their way back with Care sending a cross-field kick to find right wing Cadan Murley, who dotted down. Allan kicked the conversion to reduce the arrears to three points.
With five minutes left in the game, Bristol were down to 14 players with Ibitoye for a for a high tackle on Andre Esterhuizen. Nevertheless, they managed to held on to their three-point lead to secure the victory.
Team line up:
Harlequins: David; Murley, Marchant, Esterhuizen, Bassett, Allen, Care; Marler, Walker, Louw; Hammond, Herbst, White, Evans, Dombrant.
Reserves: Head, Baxter, Kerrod, Matthews, Lawday, Gjaltema, Edwards, Beard
Bristol: Lane, Morahan, Radradra, Bedlow, Ibitoye, MacGinty, Uren; Thomas, Thacker, Lahiff, Batley, Vui, Luatua, Heenan, Bradbury.
Reserves: Kerr, Woolmore, Tyack, Stooke, Thomas, Whiteley, O'Conor, Lloyd
