Bristol Bears dismantled Harlequins 48-24 in their Gallagher Premiership Rugby encounter at the Twickenham Stoop.
Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Gabriel Ibitoye and debutant Viliame Mata all got on the scoresheet as the high-flying Bears hammered Harlequins in style to go third in the Premiership table.
The occasion provided the home side with an opportunity to say farewell to club legend Joe Marler, who brought forward his retirement from rugby from the end of the season. The prop, one of the club’s finest servants, played 50 minutes before leaving the field for a final time to a standing ovation.
Harlequins found the breakthrough after four minutes through Alex Dombrandt, only for Bristol to return fire as Kalaveti Ravouvou claimed a try against the run of play. While Alan Evans squandered his opening conversion, Alan MacGinty converted.
Bristol then scored another breakaway try via Kieran Marmion before Ibitoye put his name on the scoresheet.
Cadan Murley then intercepted the ball on his own try-line for an end-to-end score for Harlequins, before Luke Northmore added another, racing away after single-handedly winning the ball at a Bristol breakdown.
But the Bears had the final say of a frenetic first half, with Marmion scoring in the last play to claim a 21-17 half-time lead.
The second half saw Bristol capitalise on Simon Kerrod being sent to the sin bin, as Mata, Van Rensburg and Santiago Grondona all scored.
Marler’s emotional departure in the 48th-minute brought the biggest home cheer of the evening, while it was followed by a bonus-point try, as Tyrone Green kicked through a spilled ball and gathered to score.
Yet MacGinty’s phenomenal kicking persisted through the evening. He kicked a penalty to take his tally to 18 points and cap an impressive win.
Newcastle rise off the bottom with saracens win
Newcastle Falcons claimed a 17-12 victory over Saracens on Friday to climb off the bottom of the table.
The home side led 17-5 at the interval, and hung on at the death to claim a victory over Saracens for the first time since 2009.
Newcastle leapfrogged Exeter Chiefs courtesy of their fourth successive home win, and their second victory in three Premiership games.
Alex Hearle and Adam Radwan scored for Newcastle, while the boot of Brett Connon added seven points.
Saracens scored a try early through Tobias Elliott while Tom Willis scored a second late in proceedings.
However, valiant defending from the home side subjected Saracens to their third league loss in four games.
They sit in fourth, having still picked up a losing bonus point.
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