Harlequins 21 - Bristol 19: Nick Evans rains on visitors' return to Aviva Premiership
NICK EVANS stuck the boot into Bristol to ensure that their return to the Premiership ended in defeat at a wet and windy Twickenham.
Nick Evans sealed the victory near the end
It hardly looked as though Andy Robinson’s side, back in the top-flight after an absence of seven years, had been away as they impressed in the opening stages.
They caught Harlequins on the back foot as tries by Tom Varndell and Tusi Pisi gave them 1a 4-3 lead.
The home side finally woke up to the danger as tries from Marland Yarde and Joe Marchant put them ahead – before Ryan Edwards once again gave Bristol the advantage.
Ryan Edwards of Bristol Rugby celebrates scoring his team's third try with Tusi Pisi
Tom Varndell initially gave Bristol the advantage early on
But two Evans penalties sealed the victory for Harlequins, and the fly-half admitted: “We got a scrappy win, not good enough for our standards but hopefully we will bounce back again
next week. We played ridiculously in the first 35 minutes. But you’ve got to give Bristol credit. They came out of the blocks and were really physical.
“We got a bit of momentum when they gave away some penalties. At half time we said play simple rugby and that just got us over the line.”
HARLEQUINS: Tries Yarde, Marchant. Cons Evans (1). Pens Evans (3).
BRISTOL: Tries Varndell, Pisi, Edwards. Cons Henson (2).