Smith the star of the show as Quins continue their impressive record at Kingsholm

Gloucester 24   Harlequins 34

                         Gallagher Premiership  Sunday 6^th December 2020

A brace of tries from Alex Dombrandt saw Harlequins earn a bonus point victory at Kingsholm, even though they had to play 35 minutes with 14 men when Andre Esterhuizen was sent off for elbowing Lloyd Evans early in the second half.

The visitors started the brighter of the sides and within four minutes had the first points on the board. The move was started by Marcus Smith with an exquisite chip and go which was finished of by Dombrandt after a show and go caught out Gloucester.

Gloucester’s first meaningful attack produced a penalty that Billy Twelvetrees slotted over. The game started to get feisty with Jamal Ford-Robinson and Sergio Garcia Botta both shown a yellow card after an altercation.

After 25 minutes, the hosts had drawn level from a driving maul the ball popped up to Ed Slater who went over in the corner.

With time in the red zone of the opening half James Chisholm crashed over for Quins to give the visitors a 17-10 lead at the break.

Within five minutes of the restart, a two-minute spell of madness almost cost Harlequins the game. The visitors were down to 14 men when Esterhuizen was shown a red card. A minute later Glen Young was sent to the bin to reduce Quins down to 13 players.

Harlequins were penalised seven times in a row through penalties and Gloucester seized the chance to capitalise on the men advantage.

Despite the numerical disadvantage it was Harlequins who scored the next try when a lovely kick from Smith saw Nathan Earle outpace the Gloucester defence to cross.

Harlequins wrapped up the try bonus point when the hosts misjudged a high ball with Luke Northmore setting up Dombrandt for his second try of the afternoon.

Quins looked comfortable at that point leading 31-10 with 16 minutes to play, but Gloucester hit back quickly following a line out and a driving maul that saw James Hanson crash over.

Smith then kicked a drop goal before another driving maul saw Hanson barged over for his second try of the afternoon.

Despite a lot of pressure from the cherry and whites, Quins held out to continue their impressive record at Kingsholm and move up to fifth in the table.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt