Ibitoye makes sure Bears keep control

THERE was a moment in the second half when the home faithful feared they were seeing a rerun of a video nasty.

- By PAUL REES

The match looked over six minutes into the second half when Gabriel Ibitoye’s try made it 31-12 to Bristol, their place in the play-offs surely secured.

Then Quins scored two tries in three minutes through Alex Dombrandt and George Hammond, stiffened by the introduction of hooker Nathan Jibulu, to reduce the arrears to five points. Minds drifted back to the play-off here between the two sides four years before. A 28-0 lead was then not enough for Bristol who were defeated in extra-time and yesterday a Quins side that at the start had appeared to be dreaming of lazy days on the beach, woke up.

Bristol had conceded nine turnovers either side of the interval and, after Hammond’s try, the players went into a huddle under the posts and emerged from it with hardened resolve. Five minutes later they were 12 points ahead after they stopped indulging themselves and drove through the forwards for Santiago Grondona to force his way over.