Sat 30 Nov 2024
Try(s): Ed Wander (sponsored by Heritage Sheds & Fencing)
Conversion(s):
Penalty(s) David Priddy (sponsored by Living Colour Tattoo)
Bristol Harlequins suffered their second defeat of the season and their first on home soil, falling to league leaders Keynsham II in a challenging encounter. The visitors, who remain undefeated, demonstrated why they top the table with a clinical display at Valhalla.
Keynsham opened the scoring early after a fortuitous bounce of the ball left the Quins' defence scrambling, allowing the visitors to pounce for the game’s first try. Bristol responded with a penalty goal from David Priddy, narrowing the deficit to 3-5. However, Keynsham quickly regained control, scoring their second try to extend their lead. Despite being temporarily reduced to 14 players following a yellow card for persistent infringements, Keynsham capitalized on a Quins mistake at the ruck adding a penalty goal before the break to head into the changing rooms with a comfortable 3-17 advantage.
In the second half, Quins had a golden opportunity to close the gap with a penalty awarded for a high tackle, but the attempt narrowly missed the mark. Their persistence paid off soon after, with Ed Wander crossing the whitewash to pull the score back to 8-17. Momentum was short-lived as David Priddy was shown a yellow card, reducing Quins to 14 men. Keynsham wasted no time, securing their third try to put the game out of reach. In the dying moments, the visitors crossed again, notching their fourth try and sealing the bonus point to wrap up a commanding 8-27 victory.
It was a tough loss for the Quins to end November, but the team will regroup and refocus ahead of a demanding December schedule. Four fixtures in three weeks await, beginning this weekend when Midsomer Norton II travel to Valhalla.
Report: Dean Jones
