Quins suffer as Bath chase play-offs
BATH 22 HARLEQUINS 12
BATH continued their Aviva Premiership play-off push after centre Max Clark’s try edged them past Harlequins in a forgettable Recreation Ground clash yesterday.
Clark’s 63rd-minute try proved enough to see off Quins, keeping Bath in fourth spot behind leaders Wasps, secondplaced Saracens and Exeter.
Wales international fly-half Rhys Priestland added five penalties and a conversion as Bath triumphed 22-12, but most of what little attacking adventure there was on show came from Quins.
Wings Tim Visser and Marland Yarde claimed wellworked tries – Visser’s touchdown was converted by fly-half Ruaridh Jackson – yet Bath did just enough to thwart them and halt their strong recent run of results.
Wales No. 8, Taulupe Faletau, delivered a trademark accomplished performance ahead of next weekend’s RBS 6 Nations game against Scotland, but individual highlights were thin on the ground for Bath.
Quins, meanwhile, remain in the top-six equation, although they will feel that a second trip to the west country in quick succession – they crushed Bristol nine days ago – should have brought another victory.