Harlequins survive early Bristol scare

Harlequins kicked off their new Aviva Premiership campaign by beating Premiership returnees Bristol 21-19 at Twickenham.

Bristol’s returned to Aviva Premiership on the biggest stage of all in English rugby after playing in Championship rugby since the 2009/10 season.

They got the perfect start to their return as Tom Varndell and Tusi Pisi scored early tries which put them into a 3-14 lead.

However Marland Yarde and Joe Marchant scored first half tries for Harlequins who went in for half time leading 15-14.

Bristol then took the lead again with a try by Ryan Edwards before Nick Evans kicked two penalties which effectively won the match for Harlequins.

Final Score Harlequins (15) 21 Bristol (14) 19

Scorers

Harlequins
Tries – Yarde, Marchant
Pen – Evans 3
Con – Evans
Drop –

Bristol
Tries – Varndell, Pisi, Edwards
Pen –
Con – Henson 2
Drop –

Match Officials
Referee : Luke Pearce (52nd Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Greg Macdonald & Paul Dix.
TMO: Rowan Kitt.

Team

Harlequins: Chisholm; Yarde, Marchant, Roberts, Visser; Evans, Care (capt); Marler, Buchanan, Sinckler, Twomey, Horwill, Robshaw, Wallace, Clifford.

Replacements: Ward, Evans, Collier, Merrick, Luamanu, Dickson, Jackson, Alofa.

Bristol: Wallace; Edwards, Hurrell, Henson, Varndell; Pisi, Cliff; Tonga’uiha, McMillan, Cortes, Phillips, Glynn, Fisher, Lam (capt), Crane.

Replacements: Brooker, Traynor, Perenise, Joyce, Robinson, Eadie, Williams, Mosses.