Quins make hay with sun on their backs
JAMES Horwill celebrated another Quins bonus point win but then insisted the Londoners must now show their true character on the road if they are to be taken as serious title contenders.
Paul Gustard’s in-form side swept aside the Bears with five fine tries to maintain their upward momentum and increase their chances of snatching one of those top four playoff places in one of the most competitive Premiership seasons.
Quins bounced back above Gloucester and into third place while Bears’ own try bonus point takes them a little further away from the foot of the table.
Quins appear to be enjoying the unseasonably warm February sun more than most but now face a major test of their ability when travelling to the Rec to play Bath next weekend.
It will be a tougher challenge than the one the Bears provided here and Horwill is well aware of what it will take to stay near the top of the table.
The former Wallabies lock claimed: “We’ve had two good wins from home games which is a good launching pad for us but now we have to kick on.
“We have to bring that ruthlessness back into our defence because we conceded soft tries today, and we have some very big games coming up.
“We cannot afford to rest on our laurels and Bath down at their place will be a very tough game for us. The Rec is always a hostile environment. We have to go to those venues, enjoy and thrive in the atmosphere and show what we can do.”
Horwill is certainly enjoying the current playing conditions insisting:
“It almost feels like home! We really like the firmer pitches and sun on our backs. It has shown in our recent results.
“We started badly against Bears who are a quality side, but fortunately we got the squeeze on and got the job done. But we have to be better over the full 80 minutes.”
Bears were quickest off the block to stun Quins with an early try from full-back Charles Piutau who finished off a move sparked by the running skill of Welsh No.10 Callum Sheedy who was outstanding throughout the contest.
Sheedy converted but Quins were level within a couple of minutes when Ross Chisholm dived on Joe Marchant’s kick through and Marcus Smith converted.
Wing Alapati Leiua rounded off another flowing move out left to edge Bears’ noses back in front before the impressive Smith’s dancing feet took him over for a fine individual try which he converted himself.
Further tries from centre Marchant and full-back Mike Brown gave the hosts a 26-12 half-time lead.
Sheedy produced one moment of inspiration to pull Bears back to within seven points, taking Andy Uren’s pass on the half-way line and racing through the middle to score a superb try.
James Lang kicked Quins further ahead and Nathan Earle surged over for a fifth Quins try.
But Bears responded with a late brace of tries from wing Alapati Leiua to snatch a try bonus point for their efforts.