Bristol inflict second Quins defeat

Little scored two tries to guide his team to victory

Harlequins 32-38 Bristol

Harlequins have slumped to their second home defeat in a row despite taking the lead in the first minute of the match as Bristol took their first league win of the season.

Harlequins ended the first half 10 points clear, but two tries from Bristol captain Jason Little steered his team to victory in the second half.

Bristol were given a pre-match boost with the news that Argentine international scrum-half Agustin Pichot had received his British residency qualification.

But the home side took the lead in the opening minute when fly-half Paul Burke landed a 22-metre penalty.

Pichot has been given his British residency

Bristol, though, gave warning of intent by coming close to scoring tries on two occasions. Blindside flanker Craig Short and fly-half Shane Drahm were both stopped short of the line.

But Quins quickly pushed Bristol back into their own half and Matt Burke powered over the line.

The former Irish international added the conversion and landed a 35-metre penalty following an illegal tackle.

But Bristol centre Andrew Higgins made sure on the half hour that his side were not left behind by setting up Bristol's first try.

The ball was fed through Pichot and Short, who sent number eight Ben Sturnham away on a 22-metre dash for the line.

Drahm added the conversion and a 25-metre penalty from in front of the posts five minutes from the interval.

Long-range penalty

Quins, though, eked out their lead at half-time thanks to a try from England winger Dan Luger.

But Bristol were soon back into the game after the interval, thanks to two penalties from Drahm.

Bristol then went into a lead they were not to lose thanks to Little's two tries - both were converted by Drahm.

Quins responded with a try from Nick Greenstock but Drahm landed another long-range penalty to keep Bristol ahead.

Replacement flanker Matt Salter scored the visitors' fourth try to earn a vital bonus point.

Harlequins then got a consolation score after Pichot had been sin-binned - the subsequent bonus point was their first of the campaign.

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Harlequins: Gollings, Moore, Burrows, Greenstock, Luger, Burke, Bemand, Leonard, Wood, Olver, Morgan, Davison, Winters, Sanderson, Diprose.
Replacements: Fuga, Dawson, Codling, Alesbrook, M. Powell, Mapletoft, Bell.

Bristol: Carrington, Rees, Higgins, Little, Christophers, Drahm, Pichot, Johnstone, McCarthy, White, Archer, A. Brown, Brownrigg, Short, Sturnham.
Replacements: Nelson, Crompton, Sheridan, Salter, Blake, S. Brown, Contepomi.

Referee: Steve Leyshon (RFU)