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Bristol’s return to the Premiership ended in defeat against Harlequins
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Tom Varndell and Tusi Pisi tries put the newly promoted side 14-3 up
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Tries from Marland Yarde and Joe Marchant, combined with the boot of Nick Evans secure victory
Harlequins were made to work very hard to overcome Bristol 21-19 in their London Double Header clash at Twickenham on Saturday.
In their first Premiership game since 2009, newly-promoted Bristol seemed to be going in ahead at the break after tries from Tom Varndell and Tusi Pisi gave them a 14-3 lead.
However, Marland Yarde and Joe Marchant turned the score around within two minutes of half-time, giving Quins a narrow one-point lead at the break .
Ryan Edwards restored Bristol’s lead after the break, but a string of penalties from the reliable boot of New Zealand fly-half Nick Evans ensured Harlequins recorded the win.
Harlequins: Nick Evans
Harlequins: 15 Ross Chisholm, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care (c), 8 Jack Clifford, 7 Luke Wallace, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 James Horwill, 4 Sam Twomey, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Rob Buchanan, 1 Joe Marler
Replacements: 16 Dave Ward, 17 Owen Evans, 18 Will Collier, 19 George Merrick, 20 Mat Luamanu, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Ruaridh Jackson, 23 Alofa Alofa
Bristol: 15 Jack Wallace, 14 Ryan Edwards, 13 Will Hurrell, 12 Gavin Henson, 11 Tom Varndell, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Will Cliff, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Jack Lam (c), 6 Jon Fisher, 5 Ben Glynn, 4 James Phillips, 3 Gaston Cortes, 2 Ross McMillan, 1 Soane Tonga’uiha
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Joe Joyce, 20 Olly Robinson, 21 Mitch Eadie, 22 Rhodri Williams, 23 Ben Mosses
Date: Saturday, September 3
Venue: Twickenham
Kick-off: 16:30 BST (15:30 GMT)
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant Referees: Greg Macdonald, Paul Dix
TMO: Rowan Kitt