Findlay delighted by perfect blend
CO-HEAD coach Karen Findlay saluted her side’s backline as they fired Harlequins to a fifth consecutive bonuspoint victory in the early part of the season.
The first try came four minutes in after they had worked the ball out wide for Heather Cowell to go over in the corner.
Shaunagh Brown powered over shortly after for her sixth try of the season.
Quins’ third try was a sensational flowing move from their own 22.
Jess Breach broke a tackle on the left to find Chloe Rollie, who burst into the 22 and had Cowell in support to go over for her second try.
Rollie did not need support soon after as Quins sealed the bonus point within half an hour. The Scottish full-back showed incredible pace and feet to go over under the posts having picked the ball up in her own half.
A powerful Harlequins scrum took them deep into the Bristol 22, before scrumhalf Leanne Riley saw the space and dived over, Ellie Green converting to maintain her 100 per cent record and make it 35-0 at half-time.
Bristol improved after the break and showed resolute defence, while Riley dropped the ball as she went to touch down for the try in a rare mistake for Harlequins.
But Breach went over in the corner after a strong Quins scrum and Rollie deservedly capped a stunning performance late on after working a two-on-one out wide for Quins’ seventh try.
A delighted Findlay said: “Chloe Rollie was electric today, and I think the back three were the point of difference.
“Our backs wanted more ball today, and we got a really good blend between our forwards carrying and getting our backs in space. They finished really well.
“I’m really chuffed to keep a nil balance sheet against Bristol, who are a good side.”
The win continued Harlequins’ superb form, a run Findlay’s attributes to their strength in depth.
“Competition for places is at the top level and, by virtue of that, we’re producing better players,” she said. “Everyone is playing a good 25 minutes off the bench and coming on to lift the game.”
Bristol head coach Kim Oliver felt her side still had positives to take despite the scoreline.
“I’m really, really proud of the second half performance,” she said.
“To defend for pretty much 40 minutes and only concede two tries is great work.
“We need to take that into next weeknow.
“We need to sharpen up our attack and things will be fine.”