Quins win ugly to keep their Euro dream alive
PAUL Gustard praised the effort and energy of his Quins as the London club breathed new life into their European crusade but left Bath facing a monumental challenge to progress any further in the competition.
Victory was vital for either side, but it was the hosts who won the battle of the boot in Pool 3 at The Stoop.
Marcus Smith kicked four penalties and James Lang a long range final effort at the end which put paid to any chance of a Bath fightback.
Freddie Burns sent over all the visitors’ points in a no-thrills, dour contest which failed to live up to pre-match expectations.
But head of rugby Gustard was only concerned with the win which gave his side their first in the competition and insisted: “We were the more dominant team and controlled it well. The effort and energy of the team was excellent and we deserved the win.
“We needed to keep the ball more, put it to good use and make sure we cut out any silly mistakes.
“We started on the front foot and kept a decent Bath team down to just the odd chance of a try. You have to win your home games to have any chance of progressing but we would still have preferred being able to play with ball in hand and more attacking rugby.
“We’ve been on the end of some close, frustrating losses this season so I’m pleased with the resilience the boys showed tonight.”
Smith kicked the hosts ahead after less than three minutes when the under pressure Bath scrum collapsed and it was an easy decision for referee Frank Murphy to make.
The Quins fly-half doubled the lead with another penalty when the visitors failed to roll away at a ruck and Bath boss Stuart Hooper would soon wish the game could start all over again.
Smith showed his kicking sights were well on target with a third penalty after another infringement at a ruck. Quins were full of endeavour, power and desire as they pressed forward in search of a first try of the game.
Danny Care was stopped just inches from the try line by desperate Bath defending at the start of the second half following a Smith break. Smith increased the lead with his fourth kick after Bath were fortunate not to be reduced to 14 men having given away a series of penalties in front of their own posts.
Eventually the visitors began to get a foot-hold in the contest, which was in danger of drifting away from them, and Burns replied with a kick of his own when Bath finally won their first penalty of the contest in the 53rd minute.
It was not long before the No 10 was repeating the
trick to put his side within six points of the hosts.
Centre James Lang nailed a long range kick to ease Quins worries before they had hooker Elia Elia sin-binned for a dangerous no arms tackle which left Anthony Watson injured on the ground.
Burns kicked a penalty a minute from time to ensure Bath went away with a losing bonus point but with still a big uphill struggle to some how progress form the pool.