Wasteful Bath pay the price

A wasteful Bath slumped to defeat against an impressive Harlequins side at the Rec today.

Butch James missed three from four attempts at goal and the backs squandered a series of gilt-edged chances as Bath's title hopes took a blow.

The visitors took the lead on seven minutes when Chris Malone landed a penalty and extended their lead to 10-0 when Dave Pearson awarded a penalty try after Bath were adjudged to collapse the scrum on 29 minutes.

James landed a penalty just before half-time but Harlequins increased their lead to 13-3 with a penalty on 43 minutes and Danny Care put the visitors 16-3 ahead with a spectacular drop goal on 67 minutes.

Bath, who enjoyed swathes of possession in the second half, continued to push and Abendanon was unlucky to have a try ruled out by the video referee seven minutes from time.

But Harlequins stood firm and only a desperate sprint back by Abendanon to deny winger Tom Williams stopped the gap between the sides becoming embarrassing.

And Harlequins had the last word as the bedraggled James was penalized for failing to roll away from a ruck. Malone obliged and Quins head home to London with a convincing 19-3 victory.

Bath:

Pens: James

Harlequins:

Tries: Penalty, Cons: Malone, Pens: Malone 3, Drops: Care.