By Megan Jenkins at Principality Stadium
Bristol Bears’ showpiece Principality Stadium jaunt was ruined as Harlequins dug out a first win in six Gallagher Premiership matches.
Quins stymied the much-vaunted Bears attack to inflict a defeat that leaves their opponents with an uphill battle to reach the play-offs, seven points now the gap between Pat Lam’s side and fourth-placed Exeter.
Ultimately, the decisive score came in the 59th minute when Argentine wing Rodrigo Isgro crossed for Quins and Jamie Benson converted for a 15-7 advantage.
It proved to be enough – just – as despite a try by Bristol back row Steven Luatua, a Benson penalty made things safe for the London club late on.
Bears took the lead in the seventh minute with a try from Fitz Harding after a small scuffle on the try line and a successful conversion from centre James Williams.
The visitors then started their comeback in the 22nd minute when Dombrandt burst through the Bears defensive line to dot down, Jarrod Evans missing the conversion.
Evans slotted a penalty to make amends for his earlier miss before Isgro’s crucial intervention.
Luatua gave the Bears hope, but Benson’s accuracy duly extinguished it.
Despite several more attacking thrusts, the Bears couldn’t force the final say, with Quins notching a surprising, but fully deserved win from a contest that failed to live up to the billing some gave it.
Quins frustrated their opponents with some relentless breakdown work, while the Bears were never able to unlock the free-flowing attacking rugby that they have shown themselves capable of.