Brilliant Bath pull plug on Quins top four hope
HARLEQUINS did a fine job welcoming back 2,700 fans to the Stoop yesterday – and hopefully their professionalism in that will pave the way for other live crowds – but they were very much second best on the day to a pumped up Bath.
Bath, splendidly marshalled by MOM Rhys Priestland, arrived smarting after snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against Wasps earlier in the week and that well-channelled anger was rewarded with an outstanding bonus point win.
It had all started so well for Quins who got on the scoreboard early with a well-taken try by Joe Marchant who latched onto a chip ahead from Danny Care and had the strength to hold off three or four would be tacklers for a converted try.
Marchant, in fact, looked sparky throughout for Quins who continued to dominate the early phases with Brett Herron and Priestland exchanging a brace of penalties – but the game changed in tone and tempo noticeably when Bath restarted after the second Herron penalty.
Quins made a mess of the hanging high ball and the deadly Ruaridh McConnochie struck for a brilliantly taken opportunist try which the equally deadly Preistland converted from the touchline.
Suddenly it was all Bath and after Ben Spencer had been denied at the line Elliott Stooke forced his way over for their second score. Cameron Redpath went close soon after and heading for half-time Bath were well in the ascendency.
After the break McConnochie continued his hot streak – five tries in the last four Premiership matches – with a well-taken try down the left touchline which owed much to the cleverest of off-loads from centre Redpath.
The former Sedbergh schoolboy, who joined from Sale, is the son of Scottish scrum-half Bryan and has already won England U18 and U20 honours and on this form it won't be long before he is faced with a decision concerning his future. England or Scotland? Bath resisted the temptation to change their measured approach in the pursuit of a fourth try and Priestland made sure of the win with another brace of penalties which provided a useful buffer against any late Quins surge.
That looked very prudent when replacement scrumhalf Martin Landajo stole in for a try to hint at such a Quins revival but this was Bath's day and they sealed the deal a minute later when Lewis Boyce – once of Harlequins – showed serious gas to sprint in from fully 40 yards to score an interception try under the posts. The prop will have no need to exaggerate when he recounts this particular score to the front row union.
Quins at least finished on a high with an excellent try by James Lang that was a quality effort even if Bath by then were down to 13 men after two late yellow cards to Tom Dunn and Jack Walker as they defended their lead with impunity.
That is probably it for Quins in terms of play-off hopes but with news this week that the top eight sides will feature in next season's Champions Cup, a place in Europe beckons as long as they keep focus and pick up another win or two.
CLOSE-UP
ALEX DOMBRANDT Harlequins No.8
TAULUPE FALETAU Bath No.8
Terrific smaller contest within larger contest. Dombrandt as ever made a huge impact going forward although Quins failed to get on his shoulder on a number of occasions.
There were times also when they failed to see the No.8 when he was cutting a great line. Faletua enjoyed a rock solid hard yards game which suggests he is beginning to put his injury woes behind him. Dombrandt just takes it.
