Match Centre: Harlequins 21-12 Gloucester

Harlequins 21-12 Gloucester, Twickenham Stoop

Danny Care scored a double as Harlequins went on to defeat Gloucester Rugby 21-12 in the latest round of the Gallagher Premiership at Twickenham Stoop on Friday.

This is fifth win for Harlequins in eight games as they move to the third place in the table while Gloucester are at sixth position.

Care started the proceedings with an eighth minute try that came at the back of a strong driving maul and Tommaso Allan kicked the conversions to make it 7-0.

The home side doubled their tally as Dino Lamb-Cona dived from close range for their second try and Allan got the conversion right for the second time to extend their lead to 14-0.

Gloucester's first response came in the second quarter as Ben Morgan driven by the forwards dived over the line and Santiago Carreras, who was playing his first game at fly-half kicked the conversion to perfection and the lead came further down in the 36th minute when Santiago Socino dotted down at the back of a maul.

Just at the stroke of half time, Care completed his second try after good works from Alex Dombrandt and Caden Murley as the home side completed the opening half with a nine point lead.

Both sides were desperate for a breakthrough in the second half and Harlequins came close to achieve the bonus point through Cadan Murley but Louis Rees-Zammit prevented the damage for the Cherry and Whites. The Cherry & Whites only real opportunity of the half fell once again to Morris. He intercepted on halfway but didn't have the gas to go 50 meters as he was once again tackled into touch.

Nevertheless, Harlequins will be relieved to get away with a nine point victory as they climb to the third position in the table.

Team line up:

Harlequins: David, Murley, Marchant, Esterhuizen, Bassett, Allan, Care; Marler, Walker, Louw, Lamb, Herbst, Kenningham, Evans, Dombrandt.

Reserves: Head, Baxter, Kerrod, Hammond, White, Gjaltema, Edwards, Northmore.

Gloucester: Evans, Rees-Zammit, Harris, Twelvetrees, Morris, Carreras, Chapman; Rapava-Ruskin, Socino, Balmain, Clarke, Alemanno, Ackermann, Ludlow, Morgan.

Reserves: Singleton, Elrington, Knight, Jordan, Polledri, Varney, Barton, Reeves.