Harlequins vs Bristol LIVE rugby: Result and reaction after visitors run riot to spoil Joe Marler’s farewell
After a busy autumn of international action, the Premiership returns with what should be an enteertaining clash
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Your support makes all the difference.Bristol Bears moved to the top of the Premiership as the visitors produced a statement performance against Harlequins to spoil Joe Marler’s farewell.
The high-flying Bears ran riot at the Twickenham stoop, showcasing all the flicks and tricks that make Pat Lam’s side the league’s great entertainers. Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Gabriel Ibitoye and Viliame Mata - making a long-awaited debut after an injury-hit time since a summer switch from Edinburgh - were all to the fore in a 48-24 win.
It took the shine off a night where the hosts said adieu to one of their finest servants. Having announced his international retirement during November, prop Marler had brought forward his club curtain call. He departed just before the 50-minute mark to a standing ovation - one of precious few on a difficult night for the London club in the absence of Marcus Smith.
Re-live all of the action from the Stoop in our live blog below:
Harlequins 17-31 Bristol, 50 minutes
The Twickenham Stoop rises to its feet - the moment has arrived. Over to the touchline Joe Marler trudges for the final time. Barring injury or incident (or another retirement reversal), that’s that for the career of one of England’s great props and Harlequins’ finest servants.
Fin Baxter gives his mentor a big bear hug.
PENALTY! Harlequins 17-31 BRISTOL (AJ MacGinty, 49 minutes)
Over it goes. Bristol extend their advantage.
Harlequins 17-28 Bristol, 47 minutes
A mighty Viliame Mata cleanout draws the ire of the home fans but it appears all was legal in the Bristol man’s challenge. A previous penalty for the Bears is returned to, and AJ MacGinty will take the three points readily on offer.
Harlequins 17-28 Bristol, 46 minutes
A crucial period this for Harlequins - if they can survive this sin bin period without conceding again they will have hopes of a fightback, but another Bristol try may scupper their hopes.
And they almost gift the Bears one! Gabriel Ibitpoyre can’t quite clutch cleanly having got himself in intercepting position.
TRY! Harlequins 17-28 BRISTOL (Viliame Mata, 44 minutes)
And a tidy quick tap routine sends the hulking Viliame Mata over!
The Fijian number eight bursts between the bodies and to the line as Bristol strike fast and first in the second half.
YELLOW CARD! Simon Kerrod is sent to the sin bin! Harlequins 17-21 Bristol, 43 minutes
Disaster for Harlequins! After a kick through, they are turned over five metres from their own line and offside prop Simon Kerrod makes a cynical tackle. Off to the bin he goes...
Harlequins 17-21 Bristol, 42 minutes
Harlequins kick a penalty down into the Bristol half, but a slightly clunky lineout routine stalls momentum somewhat. From deeper, Rodrigo Isgro threatens the outside but is caught in a snaring low tackle by AJ MacGinty.
Second half...
The players have re-emerged. How much longer does Joe Marler have before he bids adieu, passing the torch to replacement Fin Baxter? He’s back out there for now - but Joe Launchbury has been replaced by George Hammond in the Harlequins second row.
HT: Harlequins 17-21 Bristol
Lively stuff at the Stoop, as one would have expected. Dynamic, daring and more than a little slapdash, Bristol are deserved leaders having put together more consistently threatening play in attack - but we’re very much in the balance under the Friday night lights.
Meanwhile, up in Newcastle, a major story is brewing with Falcons leading Saracens by 12 points at the interval with the help of this Adam Radwan score:
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