Bristol Bears beat Harlequins 52-26 at Ashton Gate on Saturday in Round 18 of the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership
17:52, 31 May 2025Updated 18:32, 31 May 2025
Gabriel Ibitoye of Bristol Bears scores his team’s fifth try as he is tackled by Jamie Benson of Harlequins (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Bristol Bears delivered when it mattered to beat Harlequins 52-26 at Ashton Gate to book a Gallagher Premiership play-off clash against derby rivals Bath Rugby at the Recreation Ground next Friday.
Pat Lam’s team knew that victory would secure a top-four finish for the first time since 2022, and they did not disappoint a 19,700 crowd. Tries in the first five minutes from prop George Kloska and lock Joe Batley sent them on their way, before winger Kalaveti Ravouvou and number eight Viliame Mata also touched down.
READ MORE: Bristol Bears 52-26 Harlequins LIVE: Highlights and reaction from final day win
Fly-half AJ MacGinty added three conversions, putting Bristol clear despite two tries by Quins’ England wing Cadan Murley and one Jamie Benson conversion. Quins threatened a major fightback when Alex Dombrandt and George Hammond crossed early in the second period – Benson added two more conversions – but Bristol coasted clear through a Gabriel Ibitoye double and scores from flanker Santiago Grondona and centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg, plus three more MacGinty conversions.
Bristol, who scored their 16th attacking bonus point of the season in 18 rounds, will now head to the Recreation Ground looking to spoil the party for the Premiership title favourites, who have already bagged the Premiership Rugby Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, but also knowing they have toppled Bath twice in the league this season.
Bristol made a flying start and were ahead after just 92 seconds when Kloska crashed over from close range, with MacGinty’s conversion confirming an immediate statement of intent. Quins were not at the races and Bristol struck again through a fifth-minute try for Batley – also converted by MacGinty – and it represented a dream opening as the forwards showed their ability to punch holes.
Both sides were keen to run the ball at every opportunity and Quins thought they had cut the deficit when centre Luke Northmore went over, but it was ruled out for a forward pass by referee Luke Pearce. The visitors did not have to wait much longer in terms of opening their account, though, as they unlocked Bristol’s defence through a combination of Benson’s clever kick and a strong finish from Murley, with Benson converting.
Back came Bristol with a sharp strike move when scrum-half Harry Randall broke from the forward base and full-back Noah Heward sent unmarked wing Ravouvou over to open up a 19-7 advantage. Bristol had the bit between their teeth, and Quins’ defence once again had no answer as the home side mustered a fourth try in 24 minutes, this time from Mata who skittled defenders like a runaway bowling ball.
Murley then produced a stunning finish for his second try, sprinting past Janse van Rensburg, which served as a reminder that Bristol were not home and dry, but they still took a 26-12 lead into half-time.
Ibitoye set the second-half ball rolling with a 46th-minute try following brilliant work by Ravouvou and Janse van Rensburg as Bristol eased past 30 points. But Quins would not go quietly, and a fine break by Benson sent captain Dombrandt over for their third try, with the fly-half converting and keeping his team firmly in contention.
Bristol had briefly lost their way and Quins capitalised as Hammond claimed their fourth touchdown with a pick and go – again converted by Benson – to make it a five-point game with more than 20 minutes left.
In the past, Bristol teams have folded under the pressure at that point, but Lam’s side showed they well and truly have the monkey of their 2021/22 Bristambol collapse off their backs, rallying to run up the score. Grondona eased Bristol’s nerves by going over in the 58th minute, though, and MacGinty converted, before Ibitoye rounded off a flowing move and Quins were finally subdued as the home side pulled away with Benhard Janse van Rensburg finishing the scoring.
Full highlights – Bristol Bears v Harlequins
Bristol Bears: 15 Noah Heward, 14 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 James Williams, 11 Gabriel Ibitoye, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Harry Randall; 1 Yann Thomas, 2 Gabriel Oghre, 3 George Kloska, 4 Pedro Rubiolo, 5 Joe Batley, 6 Santiago Grondona, 7 Fitz Harding, 8 Viliame Mata
Replacements: 16 Harry Thacker, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 Max Lahiff, 19 Joe Owen, 20 Steven Luatua, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Jack Bates
Harlequins: 15. Nick David, 14. Rodrigo Isgro, 13. Oscar Beard, 12. Luke Northmore, 11. Cadan Murley, 10. Jamie Benson, 9. Will Porter; 1. Fin Baxter, 2. Jack Walker, 3. Titi Lamositele, 4. Jonny Green, 5. George Hammond, 6. Jack Kenningham, 7. Will Evans, 8. Alex Dombrandt (c)
Replacements: 16. Nathan Jibulu, 17. Jordan Els, 18. Ollie Streeter, 19. Joe Launchbury, 20. Tom Lawday, 21. Jake Murray, 22. Sean Kerr, 23. Leigh Halfpenny
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant Referees: Jack Makepeace and Greg MacDonald
TMO: Stuart Terheege