MARVELLOUS
Joe leads way to guide nervy Quins into play-offs
Harlequins 44
JOE MARLER led the charge as Harlequins made the play-offs for the first time in seven years – but the side are making their coaches sweat.
Quins were 32-18 up at the break, 33-32 down after 57 minutes and 39-33 up on the hour and should have put the match to bed there and then.
But Marcus Smith missed three penalties in seven minutes in the final quarter, and five from 11 in the game with 4,000 fans back at the Stoop.
No.8 Alex Dombrandt’s break and overhead pass had made the fifth try for skipper Stephan Lewies before Smith had his attack of the shakes in front of goal.
Quins only knew they were safe when replacement scrum-half Martin Landajo swept over at the death.
And Harlequins defence coach Jerry Flannery said: “I’m delighted that we got the result and secured top four but
IT’S JACK THE GLAD Jack Kenningham grounds the ball for Quins’ opening try it was hard work doing it. I can’t say it was overly enjoyable, although I’m sure supporters and neutrals loved it.
“I have to accept that Harlequins play rugby a little bit differently to what I’m used to. It’s unconventional.
“It’s not that you let your standards fit, but there has to be a bit of give and take because the DNA of this club is attack.
“But we will not win the league if we don’t tighten up in defence.”
Prop Marler led from the front with Dombrandt, wing Joe Marchant and flanker Jack Kenningham impressing in front of England defence coach John
Mitchell. Bath’s fourth league defeat on the spin leaves them with two games left to nail a top-eight Champions Cup spot.
Boss Stuart Hooper said: “Ultimately we needed to dictate the game more.
“As we came into this, two wins out of the last three games was probably what we needed.
“We go to Gloucester next week, which is a huge game.”
Kenningham crashed over after six minutes and, when Danny Care scooted over, Quins were cruising.
But a solo try by lock Josh McNally and Will Muir’s first tied it up.
Tries from Marchant and Luke Northmore locked up Quins’ bonus point before half-time, then Muir’s second and one from Josh Bayliss got the Londoners and Smith wobbling. But they got over the line.
Tries: Kenningham, Care, Marchant, Northmore, Lewies, Landajo; Cons: Smith (4); Pens: Smith (2).
BATH: Tries: McNally, Muir (2), Bayliss; Cons: Priestland (2); Pens: Priestland (3)