Big win but it's not enough for Bears
The Rugby Paper|May 19, 2024
BRISTOL Bears ended their season in style with a seven-try victory against Harlequins, but missed out on a spot in the play-offs after Sale's win at Saracens.
NICK POWELL
Big win but it's not enough for Bears

Bristol took the lead with tries from James Williams, Ellis Genge and Gabriel Ibitoye, with Quins cancelling out the first two through Chandler Cunningham-South and Alex Dombrandt.

After Harry Thacker extended Bristol's lead to 12 points with a try early in the second-half, Quins went ahead for the first time with a Luke Northmore score and Cunningham-South's second.

But Williams knocked over two penalties and converted tries from Max Lahiff, Noah Heward and Gabriel Oghre to give the Bears a handsome winning margin and secure a fifth-place finish.

Bristol were at their free-flowing best in attack in a thrilling first half, with excellent handling opportunistic off from loads combining with an ambition to move the ball wide as quickly as possible that left Quins scrambling in defence.

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