Bath 21 Harlequins 17
The come-back kings did not come back but were bested on a cold windy night by a superior dogged Bath side.
Derek Williams sat with us and warned in advance that, whilst Bath may only have just the one win to date (v Worcester Warriors), they would fancy another against the London toffs.
Because of international duty Quins were bereft of Marcus Smith, Luke Northmore, Alex Dombrandt, Joe Marchant and Joe Marler. Bath had their call-ups too but their centres Jonathan Joseph and Cameron Redpath looked dangerous.
Bath’s ground – known as The Rec – is old now and the temporary stands never replaced. Worse it’s easy to locate and view from Pulteney Road above but difficult to enter.
We saw many a Quin fan confused and lost.
We were directed down some steps to the entrance to the Thatchers Stand which stated outside “No entrance to the Dyson Stand’ – where our tickets were for.
A steward allowed us to enter there but inside no one knew how we accessed the Dyson Stand. Eventually we did find our seats low down inside the penalty area. I remarked to Derek that I’m now a fully paid-up member of the “watch on television” group, as to add to our woes, it was bitterly cold and I needed the loo.
Harlequins opened brightly, pinning Bath back. That they put no points initially on the board was due to inept handling and strange referreeing.
The game lost its flow as there were numerous interruptions and slow restarts. Eventually Quins’ Dino Lamb went over for a converted try. 7-0.
It was strange for Quins to have an early lead and Caden Marley increased it.
Bath came back in the second half with two scores by Will Muir.
You can only admire the way they swarmed around Andre Esterhuizen and defended. Quins did have a late opportunity to win, but Tommy Allan failed to convert the try with a puny attempt.
Bath scored a late penalty for an offence few could fathom to win comfortably.
Although they won they are not back as the awesome side that once dominated Premiership rugby. Quins play Sale Sharks, Saracens (away) and Wasps in the next few weeks but they will still have key players unavailable due to international calls.
Their best hope might be the Heineken Cup.
It was noticeable how many women attended the match and the good cheer between the fans.
Had it been football the Quins fans might have been attacked in trying to find their places but supporters of both team mixed freely and at no time was there a sniff of any malevolence.
We walked back to Derek’s hotel for a final snifter which a disorganised bar could not supply.
