Lawrence on fire as Bath find their mojo

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER

Harlequins ………………….. 35pts

Tries: Murley 6, Wallace 23, Smith 35, Gjaitema 55, Dombrandt 70

Conversions: Smith 7, 24, 36, 56, 71

Bath ……………………………… 45pts

Tries: Dunn 3, Van Velze 32, Lawrence 38, Annett 65, Cokanasiga 68, Ojomoh 75

Conversions: Spencer 4, 33, 39, 66, 68; Francis 76

Penalties: Spencer 14

Bath hinted at much better times ahead with this barnstorming win, their third Premiership victory on the hoof, which showcased their many fine talents in front of an appreciative crowd at Twickenham.

Ollie Lawrence yet again looked the best 13 – his natural position – in England, big Joe Cokanasiga is cooking again and behind a much more competitive scrum Ben Spencer issued a timely reminder to Steve Borthwick that he remains a Test class scrum-half.

Josh Bayliss also put in a big shift after coming on early and his athleticism in the back row will encourage Scotland coach Gregor Townsend.

Bath have rediscovered their attacking mojo, indeed this is the first-ever time they have claimed a try bonus in five consecutive league games.

As for Quins, they got done at their own game. They fizzled in attack but failed to apply the coup de grace when Bath were wobbling.

A firecracker of a first half exploded into action from the off with a try for Bath hooker Tom Dunn which immediately provoked a strong reply from Quins with a 14th league try of the season by Cadan Murley.

Spencer regained the lead for Bath with a 40m penalty but Quins struck again through Luke Wallace after a multi-phase move initiated by Josh Bassett and Andre Esterhuizen.

Then it started to really hot up with Quins correctly copping two yellows inside two minutes. Esterhuizen went in too high on Lawrence although a change of running angle offered enough mitigation to avoid red while Murley's slap down denied Bath a prime attacking opportunity.

Bath took immediate advantage with a try from GJ van Velze after two quick phases from a lineout but Quins, down to 13 men, then rallied with Smith hitting the turbos and swapping passes with Joe Marchant to sprint over for a cracker. Not quite as good though as the Bath response that followed with Orlando Bailey looking to find Cokanasiga on the right wing with a cross field kick. Top drawer.

Leading the way: Ollie Lawrence breaks through to score for Bath

PICTURES: Getty Images

The young fly-half overcooked the kick, it was 70-30 in favour of Bassett collecting it first, but the big Bath wing got low and dived in determined fashion. He came up with the ball like a slip fielder at Lord's and adroitly passed on to Lawrence who was running what we now call the Dupont support line. There was still plenty to do but Lawrence has gas and knows where the line is and Bath were back in front, deservedly so.

After the break it was non-stop. A fine run from Louis Lynagh heralded a try for Louis Gjaltema but, after absorbing a long period of pressure, Bath suddenly sprung to life with a lineout rumble try for Niall Annett and a brilliantly fashioned score for Cokanasiga.

Alex Dombrandt hinted at a Quins recovery when he profited from a slashing stepping run from Smith to score but Bath were in steely mood and finished things off with the try of the game, a set piece beauty which saw Lawrence in all his glory, picking a phenomenal line, stepping, hitting the accelerator and finally offloading expertly for Max Ojomoh to score.

Stretch: Alex Dombrandt gets Quins' fifth try