Kalaveti Ravouvou goes airborne ahead of Luke Northmore to score Bristol's third try

Bristol Thrash Quins to Book Semi-Final Derby Date at Bath

Bears Blaze Through Harlequins in 12-Try Spectacle at Ashton Gate

For the Bristol Bears, this was more than just a win. It was a statement, a celebration, and a reminder of just how dangerous they can be when everything clicks. With a semi-final spot hanging in the balance, Pat Lam’s side exploded into life on a sun-soaked afternoon at Ashton Gate to dismantle Harlequins 53-28 and seal a mouthwatering West Country derby against Bath in the Premiership play-offs.

Twelve tries were shared in a fast, physical, and at times chaotic contest, but Bristol were never really in doubt. A stunning first half saw them notch up the bonus point inside 24 minutes, with George Kloska, Joe Batley, Kalaveti Ravouvou and Viliame Mata all crossing to put the hosts firmly in control. And while Harlequins – with the memories of their famous ‘Bristanbul’ comeback of 2021 still fresh – mounted a brief revival, the Bears were ultimately too strong, too slick, and too ruthless.

Bears Roar Out of the Blocks

Pat Lam’s men needed nothing less than victory to guarantee a spot in the top four, and they got the perfect start. It took barely 90 seconds for Gabriel Ibitoye to tear down the left wing, and after some clever offloads, Kloska was on hand to barge over near the posts. AJ MacGinty slotted the conversion, and Ashton Gate erupted.

Moments later, it was Batley’s turn to crash over, this time after a powerful drive close to the Quins’ line. MacGinty’s boot did the rest, and the Bears were 14-0 up before the visitors could draw breath.

Harlequins thought they’d responded when Luke Northmore found space off a clever penalty move, but the score was chalked off for a forward pass. From there, things unravelled quickly. Murley did finally give Quins something to cheer with a smart finish after Jamie Benson’s chip-and-chase, but that merely seemed to wake Bristol up again.

Ravouvou – all pace and power – torched his man down the right to bag his 11th try of the campaign, before Mata smashed his way under the posts for the bonus point. Just 24 minutes in, Bristol were 26-7 ahead, with their 16th try bonus point of the season – a new Premiership record – already secured.

Quins Flicker to Life, But Bears Stay in Control

Bristol Gabriel Ibitoye beats Jamie Benson to the line

Despite trailing by 19 at the break, Harlequins showed signs of life. Cadan Murley – their most dangerous outlet – intercepted a wayward MacGinty pass and scorched 60 metres to score his second. At 26-12, there was a glimmer of hope.

But it was fleeting.

The Bears came out flying again in the second half. Ravouvou’s break down the left opened up the field, and quick hands across the backline saw Ibitoye go over in the right corner – against his former club, no less – for his 12th try of the campaign, setting a new club record.

Still, Quins weren’t done. A slick dummy and offload from Benson sent Alex Dombrandt through for a well-worked score, before George Hammond muscled over after a break from Northmore. Just like that, it was 31-26, and the ghosts of 2021 – when Quins came from 28 points down to stun Bristol in the semi-finals – were suddenly swirling once again.

But this time, there would be no collapse.

Grondona and Ibitoye Seal It, Janse van Rensburg Brings Up the Half-Century

Santiago Grondona crashed over from close range to give the Bears breathing room once again, and Ibitoye – full of confidence – jinked through the Quins defence for his 13th try of the season, joint-most in the league this year. MacGinty added the extras and hit the 1,000 Premiership points milestone in the process.

The Bears were now rampant. A slap into touch from Benson denied them a penalty try, but Benhard Janse van Rensburg powered over moments later to make it 53-28. MacGinty, ever reliable, nailed his sixth conversion.

In the end, it was Bristol’s biggest ever win over Harlequins, a fitting reward for a team that’s endured injuries, inconsistency and doubt this season – but come good when it matters most.

Lam Eyes West Country Semi-Final Showdown

For director of rugby Pat Lam, this one clearly meant a lot.

“I am very proud of this group,” he told BBC Radio Bristol after the match. “This is probably one of the highlights of my time at Bristol Bears.”

“We’ve had to fight through some really tough times – big players out for months, disruptions – but the team’s come together. We’ve built something strong.”

Next up? A West Country derby for the ages.

Bath await at The Rec on Friday night in what promises to be a ferocious semi-final showdown. And while Bath have been one of the most consistent teams in the league this season, Lam was bullish about his side’s chances.

“Bath have only lost three games this year,” he said. “But we’ve beaten them twice. We’ve played them 14 times since we’ve been back in the Premiership, and we’ve won most of them – even at The Rec.”

“We know how to beat Bath. But it’s a semi-final, and I’ve got to get the game plan right.”