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:
TRY! Harlequins 17-21 BRISTOL (Kieran Marmion, 40 minutes)
But it’s the Bears hooting and hollering at the half as they strike on the stroke of the interval!
More delicious attacking rugby. Lumbering lock Joe Owen combines with the prominent Gabriel Ibitoye, who allows Kieran Marmion to provide the finishing touches.
Harlequins 17-14 Bristol, 39 minutes
A neat encapsulation of the Gabs Ibitoye experience, there - the Bristol wing beats three defenders with a weaving surge, evading contact with effortless ease. But, having done the hard work and created space for his teammates, Ibitoye throws a needless, careless, directionless offload.
Harlequins 17-14 Bristol, 37 minutes
Sparky stuff down the short side from Harlequins with Cadan Murley again the beneficiary. His attempted grubber is lacking in puff but tumbles into touch off a Bristol boot.
Alas, the hosts can’t make much of their advanced possession - a forward pass in first phase attack.
Harlequins 17-14 Bristol, 35 minutes
Fast and loose like a lubricated Lindy Hop as both teams trade errors on halfway. The first knock-on is from Bristol, so it will be Harlequins’ scrum to feed.
Harlequins 17-14 Bristol, 33 minutes
Joe Marler and Fitz Harding have a little spat on the deck after a ruck, Marler giving the Bristol captain an arm in the face and plenty of verbals. Harding has a word with referee Luke Pearce, who clears the tension a bit.
Sadly, Gabriel Oghre’s race is run - the hooker hadn’t quite ever recovered from that early injury and is replaced by Harry Thacker.
Harlequins 17-14 Bristol, 30 minutes
Nearly another! This is more classcial attacking play from the hosts, Harlequins charging around the corner in unison to exploit a soft Bristol edge. Cadan Murley thunders into the 22 but his infield offload finds the hands of Bristol’s Benhard Janse van Rensburg.
Harlequins 17-14 Bristol, 30 minutes
Bristol have to reset now, that double-strike puncturing an otherwise excellent start. Harlequins haven’t actually had to play any rugby to gain those 12 points, either, which will frustrate Pat Lam.
TRY! HARLEQUINS 17-14 Bristol (Luke Northmore, 27 minutes)
Broken ball and Harlequins pounce again!
Serious wheels from Luke Northmore! The centre isn’t necessarily a noted sprinter but this is sheer speed, picking up the pieces after his teammates had made a mess of Bristol’s breakdown and easing up through the gears. Jarrod Evans can’t convert.
Harlequins 12-14 Bristol, 24 minutes
There is barely a moment to draw breath in this game so far. Harlequins now play quickly from the touchline, though their attempts to make inroads on the opposite side are scuppered by an inaccurate pass that floats over the head of the last man on the line.
Meanwhile, up at Kingston Park, Newcastle lead Saracens thanks to a try from Alex Hearle after this rather tidy early finish from Tobias Elliott.
TRY! HARLEQUINS 12-14 Bristol (Cadan Murley, 22 minutes)
Picked off, pulled in and Cadan Murley is off to the races!
A 14-point swing! Bristol build pressure and the gaps are starting to appear as Kieran Marmion flings to the right. But Murley is sharp as a tack, off the line in rapid fashion to pluck the duck and make off with the spoils. A 90-metre intercept score and doesn’t the Stoop love it!
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