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Bristol make it five wins in a row after beating Harlequins

By Online Editors
(Photo by PA)

Two tries from Luke Morahan and 13 points from the boot of Callum Sheedy ensured Bristol made history at Ashton Gate with a 28-15 win over Harlequins.

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For the first time in the Premiership, Bristol achieved five consecutive victories and they did so in style to avenge a 22-17 defeat at the Stoop earlier in the season.

Bristol’s success consolidated third place in the table after Chris Vui added to Morahan’s double with Sheedy adding three penalties and two conversions.

Aaron Morris and Gabriel Ibitoye scored tries for Harlequins, while Brett Herron kicked a penalty and Marcus Smith added a conversion.

It took Bristol only 50 seconds to take the lead when a 30-metre burst and a delightful off-load from captain Steven Luatua gave Morahan an easy run-in.

Sheedy converted and then he and Herron exchanged penalties before Quins picked up their first try. From a five-metre scrum, Danny Care raced to the blindside before sending Morris through a huge gap in the home defence.

Herron missed the straightforward conversion before Morahan scored his second try. Charles Piutau chipped ahead for Herron and Henry Purdy to contest possession before Morahan was on hand to collect the rebound and score. TMO replays were plentiful before the referee concluded that the ball had gone backwards from Herron’s hand so the try was awarded.

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Sheedy’s conversion rebounded back off a post but the Welsh fly-half was soon on target with a simple penalty.

Herron again missed an opportunity for points by firing wide with a penalty and Bristol made him pay for his profligacy by scoring their third try when Vui finished off a sustained period of pressure by crashing over from close range.

Sheedy converted to give his side a healthy 25-8 half-time advantage despite them losing Purdy to a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.

At the interval, Herron was withdrawn in favour of Smith but Quins continued their ill-discipline which prevented them building any momentum in Purdy’s absence, who returned with no damage done to the scoreboard.

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Sheedy kicked his third penalty before the visitors changed three of their pack in one hit to try and reverse their fortunes.

It had some impact as Smith and number eight Alex Dombrandt began to test the Bears’ defence but the visitors lacked the precision to earn any reward from their second half dominance until a flowing move saw Ibitoye outflank the cover to score.

Press Association

WATCH: Wales coach Wayne Pivac and captain Alun Wyn Jones speak at a press conference following the team’s Guinness Six Nations match against England.

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Bristol v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership - Ashton Gate

Bristol v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership - Ashton Gate

Bristol v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership - Ashton Gate

Bristol v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership - Ashton Gate

Bristol v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership - Ashton Gate

Bristol v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership - Ashton Gate

Bristol v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership - Ashton Gate

Bristol v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership - Ashton Gate

Bristol v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership - Ashton Gate

Bristol v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership - Ashton Gate

Bristol v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership - Ashton Gate

Bristol v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership - Ashton Gate

Bristol v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership - Ashton Gate

Bristol v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership - Ashton Gate

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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