This was a match that ought not to have been lost and five points lost by a missed conversion and a missed penalty, both affected by the stiff wind, were Harlequins’ loss. But the most serious problem was in the scrum where Bristol were consistently out-playing the visitors, turning them at will and obtaining quick ball and a good platform from their own put-in.

Bristol started the first half showing a clear determination to run the ball and almost immediately a fine break through the centre by Vaughan Going threatened trouble until good tackling produced a knock-on. A subsequent breakdown brought a Bristol penalty and from the line-out another attack was just put into touch short of the line.

The first ten minutes of the match saw Quins under considerable pressure in their own half but simple errors, including not binding in the scrum and not throwing in straight at the line-out, committed by both sides left both frustrated. Then a loose ball kicked through deep into the Bristol half saw Jordan Turner-Hall in rapid pursuit but the defence was good and a penalty at the breakdown relieved the pressure on the home team.

Quins began to gain in confidence and a good combination move by Harder, Brown and Care gained an attacking line out in the right corner, another penalty and another line out. Quins continued to press and eventually resorted to a kick through over the try line but the cover was good. Quins continued to press but strong defence and self-inflicted errors allowed Bristol to escape.

Harlequins with the wind behind them were now beginning to keep Bristol pinned back in their own half. An excellent penalty kick by Mike Brown gained fully sixty metres for another attacking line-out but a knock-on in the centre allowed Bristol to clear. An excellent box kick from Danny Care saw Charlie Amesbury chasing hard and the defender forced to find touch.

As time moved to the end of the first half-hour, another strong Quins’ attack brought a very kickable penalty in front of the posts but they elected to kick for the corner. Despite the power of the Bristol forwards as exhibited in their dominance at the scrum, a good catch and drive saw Chris Robshaw score the try. Mike Brown converted and after 33 minutes Quins were leading 0 – 7.

Although Quins continued to suffer poor ball from their retreating scrum, Tom Guest, always strong and quick at the base of the scrum, broke away powerfully and made many good yards before being stopped. A good box kick by the Bristol scrum-half saw a spectacular catch by Going, a constant threat. As the half was ending the Bristol pressure brought them a penalty and Gray took the three points from about 30 metres directly in front of the posts. Half-time saw Quins in the lead 3 – 7.

In the second half Harlequins were playing into the teeth of the gale as the rain started to increase in quantity. Bristol again applied pressure from the start, twice turning over ball at the breakdown but unforced errors cost Bristol a try after only five minutes as they knocked on with the line at their mercy. A series of attacking scrums had Harlequins in trouble and the wet ball was not helping handling. When Quins had a scrum it was almost always wheeled and the ball lost to a Bristol put-in.

Then in a superb break from the base of a wheeling scrum, Tom Guest with Danny Care in support took off down the left and when Care was in full flight he managed to offload in the tackle to Charlie Amesbury who ran in for the second try. Mike Brown’s conversion attempt just curled outside the left post and after ten minutes of the second half the score was 3 – 12

Despite Quins’ preassure, Bristol turned over possession at a ruck and found touch deep in the Quins’ twenty-two. Sloppy work with the wet ball saw the ball knocked down in space and Bristol winger Stanojevic had an easy score. Gray added the points and Bristol had closed to within two points. Twenty-five minutes remained.

Both sides attempted to penetrate each other’s defences but a penalty pushed Bristol back into their twenty-two only for the line-out throw to be adjudged not straight. An attempt on goal from a penalty on the 10 metre line for a dangerous tackle on George Harder saw Mike Brown’s kick sail wide on the wind. Then with about ten minutes remaining Bristol were awarded a penalty almost of the same length but with the benefit of the wind behind him Gray’s kick went through the posts to put Bristol in the lead 13 -12.

Now the elements became more unruly and despite their best efforts Quins were unable to score again. Even a yellow card for Bristol’s lock, Nathan Budgett, with a few minutes remaining did not help.

Afterwards, assistant Academy coach Tony Diprose agreed that the result was disappointing but said that the conditions did not help at all. He agreed that they had been out-scrummed but there was never going to be more than one score either way in the game. The last twenty-five minutes had been a dogfight and Bristol had got the score,. Quins should have put the game away when they led 3 – 12.

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