Morahan undoes Quins as Bristol make history

Bristol Bears the history-makers. Harlequins arrived – after some travel disruption – buoyed by victory over Exeter Chiefs the previous weekend, but Bristol’s emphatic first-half display laid the foundations for their fifth Premiership win in a row, their longest streak in the English top flight’s professional era.

Pat Lam, Bristol’s director of rugby, was “proud” of that feat, but added: “We had a great start in the first half, but it was not a great game of rugby in the second half.

“We are disappointed [to not secure the bonus point]. But I’d rather have more wins than more bonus points. Four is better than one.”

Harlequins head of rugby Paul Gustard denied that the travel disruption affected his team’s display.

“We altered our warm-up, the boys were in good spirits on the coach, there was a good atmosphere on the pitch, we actually started defending really well. Then one error, along with an unbelievable offload, and they’ve got their try,” he said.

Bristol’s first try came after just 47 seconds. Captain Steve Luatua flicked the deftest of offloads to Luke Morahan, who jogged over.

A Brett Herron penalty got Harlequins on the scoreboard, but Callum Sheedy cemented Bristol’s lead.

When Danny Care and Aaron Morris combined beautifully from a five-metre scrum, it looked as if Harlequins had finally woken up.

Bristol’s second try came, though, when Charles Piutau’s grubber invited a chase from Henry Purdy and Morahan. Purdy got to the ball first, Herron knocked the ball from the Bristol winger’s hands and Morahan scooped it up for his second.

A nifty Bears line-out move concluded with Chris Vui barging over for Bristol’s third. The only blot on a dominant half for the home side was a yellow card for Purdy after a deliberate knock-on.

The half-time arrival of Marcus Smith refreshed Harlequins and Gabriel Ibitoye skated away down the touchline for their second try. But Bristol are now third in the table.