By MG
December 31 2023

A massive crowd of over 76,000 were wonderfully entertained as Quins overcame Gloucester 32-26 in the Big Game at Twickenham.

The pre-match entertainment had everyone excited before Danny Care got things moving on the pitch from a quick tap penalty which saw Nick David going over.

Gloucester arrived in second bottom place, but were not prepared to play second fiddle on the big day, and came straight back  as Louis Rees-Zammit and Ruan Ackermann combined to send Adam Hastings in at the corner.

Marcus Smith looked like a man with something to prove and his dummy sent in David for his second before Danny Care used the outside of his boot to send skipper Alex Dombrandt powering home.

Gloucester came back but superb defence kept them out to make it 15-7 at the break.

Quins' bonus point try quickly arrived courtesy of a powerful run from Dino Lamb who unfortunately damaged his sholuder as he touched down (above) and had to be led from the field. 

Any thoughts that Quins would open the floodgates were dispelled when George McGuigan got one back for the visitors only for  Care to reply minutes later following a break from Andre Esterhuizen.

Smith slotted a drop goal, but it was the Cherry and Whites who finished strongly with Jonny May scoring and then a penalty try awarded as Tyrone Green knocked on a floating pass earning Gloucester two bonus points.

Quins' five points keeps them in sixth place but only three points behind top spot before the Bath and Leicester game.