Bristol set up Bath cruncher with brilliant 8-try display

BRISTOL Bears delivered when it mattered to beat Harlequins 52-26 at Ashton Gate to book a Gallagher Premiership play-off clash against derby rivals Bath at the Recreation Ground on Friday.

- John Evely

Pat Lam's team knew victory would secure a top-four finish for the first time since 2022, and they did not disappoint a 19,700 crowd. Tries in the first five minutes from prop George Kloska and lock Joe Batley sent them on their way, before wing Kalaveti Ravouvou and No 8 Viliame Mata also touched down.

Fly-half AJ MacGinty added three conversions, putting Bristol clear despite two tries by Quins' England wing Cadan Murley and one Jamie Benson conversion. Quins threatened a major fightback when Alex Dombrandt and George Hammond crossed early in the second period - Benson added two more conversions - but Bristol coasted clear through a Gabriel Ibitoye double and scores from flanker Santiago Grondona and centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg, plus three more MacGinty conversions.

Bristol, who scored their 16th attacking bonus point of the season in 18 rounds, will now head to the Recreation Ground looking to spoil the party for the Premiership title favourites, who have already bagged the Premiership Rugby Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, but also knowing they have toppled Bath twice in the league this season.