By Big Dave
September 20 2005

As with the first team, so the United came crashing to back to earth from early season table-topping. The United failed to cope with Harlequins’ more muscular pack and a three quarter line that used pace and invention to rattle up a big score. Harlequins A 56 Bristol United 15

Any team with the international class of Tony Diprose, as well as the premiership experience of George Harder, Steve So’oiala and Adrian Jarvis was always going to be a challenge for the visitors, but it was Quins’ backs that consistently caught the eye. Their floppy hair and respectable names may remind you of Tim Nice But Dim, yet Quins young tyros, with Charlie Amesbury to the fore, stretched the Bristol defence and were rewarded with some spectacular tries.

Against this, Bris debutant David Lemi showed that he has the attacking skills necessary to have an impact at his new club.

Bristol were under severe pressure from the start, as Quins raced into a 20-3 lead. Things got worse as Danny Gray left the field clutching his leg, to be replaced at fly half by Jon Pritchard. Soon after Lemi showed pace and a willingness to attack, scoring a wonderful solo try.

Marsden managed to keep a Quins’ clearance kick infield on the Bristol 22, giving Lemi the chance to counter. He raced upfield in pursuit of his own kick ahead, gathered the ball, chipped again, and beat the defenders to score. This was the first of several forays that left Harlequins defenders clutching the air in vain.

Marsden converted to make it 20-10, but this would be as close as Bristol got. Quins exploited their superiority to go in 37-10 at the break.

Bristol made several changes at half time, and this gave Jacob Rauluni the opportunity to make his navy blue and white debut. Rauluni, especially with the injury to Gray, provided some stability at half back. More importantly, in a game such as this, he demonstrated his awareness and class with some important covering tackles. Given the injury to Shaun Perry, his experience and ability will be invaluable to Bristol’s Guinness Premiership campaign.

For all his efforts Rauluni could not staunch the Quins tide. Elsewhere, Richard Martin-Redman tried to take the game to the opposing forwards, while Greg Nicholls was always brave. Andy Reay, replacing Sam Cox, did get a try against his former club, but it was to be Harlequins, through the very impressive Amesbury, who had the final say, with the final score of 56-15.

The match perhaps illustrated the differing positions of Bristol and Harlequins. Whether or not, as the columnist in the Bristol official match programme recently commented, there are “2.25 million reasons why they will come . . .back up”, coming up Quins certainly are. This evening the magnificent new Stoop saw Harlequins demonstrate the depth of their squad on the pitch while a Broncos’ function illustrated the business potential off it. Barring miracles, they will be a Premiership club come May.

Meanwhile, Bristol are going to have to scrap for every point to stay there. Perhaps few pointers for that fight can be drawn from a United fixture, but there is reason to hope that Lemi and Rauluni will have a vital part to play.