A win this season for Quins has been a long time in coming but tonight, under the watchful eye of the imposing new South Stand, Quins finally kick started their season with flashes of brilliance and a never say die attitude.

The first half was a battle of two sides who were cancelling each other out and not fully exploring the options. Bath took control in the opening 10 minutes with two penalties, which took them 6 points into the lead, before Evans closed the gap with a 40 yard penalty of his own after 15 minutes. 3-6.

Nick Evans revved both the team and the crowd up with a superb up and under, followed by a nailing tackle on Nick Abendanon in Bath’s 22. As the first half drew to a close, Quins were starting to open more doors but Bath were being effective in slamming them shut.

Ugo Monye, with only seconds remaining on the clock in the first half, made a last ditch, try saving tackle on Matt Carraro, who had been set loose with the ball after a break by Nicky Little.

After the interval, Ugo Monye looked to have scored in the left hand corner, only for the referee to disallow it after it was deemed to have been knocked forward by Gonzo Tiesi.

Gary Botha received a standing ovation when he left the field after 63 minutes. The South African hooker made his final appearance tonight after deciding to return to his home country to continue his career.
Quins kept up the pressure in their opponent’s half but the Bath defence held strong and the men in quartered shirts couldn’t break through. Eventually the pressure told though and Evans levelled the score with the resulting penalty.

Sadly for the home side it was Bath who ran in a soft try (after 75 minutes) when a Quins lapse of concentration allowed Shontayne Hape in to score. The missed conversion was to prove fatal for Bath. 6-11

Quins were not done yet and the never say die attitude rose to the fore once again. As wave after wave of attacks battered the Bath line, their defence was kept on the back foot. Bath were forced to give away a stream of penalties, which kept the game alive long after the clock had hit zero. Eventually Wayne Barnes had seen too many and Ben Skirving was shown a yellow card.

Something had to give and eventually the Quins forwards powered over the Bath line and after a nailbiting few minutes, where the crowd and players were left in suspense after Wayne Barnes deferred the decision to the TMO, the try was awarded to Nick Easter, with an easy conversion for Nick Evans to seal Quins’ first win of the season.