Harlequins book top-eight spot with win over Gloucester

Harlequins booked a top eight Premiership finish and a European Champions Cup spot with a 28-15 win over Gloucester.

In front of a 1,000-strong crowd at Kinghsolm – just the second game Premiership fans have been allowed to watch since the resumption of action last month – the hosts started sluggishly. 

Marcus Smith plundered three penalties in the opening 10 minutes before Cadan Murley raced away from Stephen Varney for Quins’ first try.

Gloucester were punished for a number of squandered chances when Stephan Lewies intercepted a pass on the halfway line and powered forward for the visitors’ second try. 

 Back-to-back! #COYQ #GLOvHAR pic.twitter.com/4064tixzyY

— Harlequins  (@Harlequins) September 14, 2020

Gloucester improved after the break, reducing the deficit through Jake Polledri’s try but Quins restored their advantage when Scott Steele pounced from close range. 

Matias Alemanno went over on his Gloucester debut but it was too little, too late for Gloucester, who need two more points from their remaining two games to guarantee eighth place.

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