Harlequins claim top place after beating Benetton 20-9

Harlequins 20-9 Benetton Treviso, Twickenham Stoop
Scorecard

Harlequins went on to claim the top place in Pool 5 of the European Rugby Challenge Cup after beating Benetton Treviso 20-9 at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

In a rain hit encounter, the hosts went on to open their account in the 8th minute when Lewis Boyce scrambled over the line following good work from Semi Kunatani and James Lang. James Lang kicked the conversion as the home side claimed a seven point lead.

The visitors hit back with back to back penalties from Ian McKinley as they reduced the gap to just one point at the end of the first quarter before the Quins doubled their tally with a try from Joe Marchant in the 26th minute.

The Quins could have got their third try before the break but was turned down following a knock down from Francis Saili but McKinley and Lang traded penalties as the teams completed the first half with a 17-9 scoreline.

Benetton had the possession at the start of the second half but failed to convert it into points and with teams scrambling for points, Harlequins made a series of substitutions and replacement Marcus Smith kicked a 69th minute penalty kick that remained the only points in the game after the break as the home side completed a 20-9 victory.

This was also Harlequins' 14th win from 15 games at home in the European Challenge Cup competition.