By Lucy Blitz

Coaching coordinator Danny Wilson challenged his Harlequins side to ‘back up a good start’ following their rain-soaked win at Ashton Gate on Saturday.

Quins have now won two of their first three games having come within seconds of winning at Gloucester on the opening weekend.

This trip to the West Country brought a more positive outcome for the side from the Stoop and Wilson was delighted to return with four points.

“It’s a very good team that we’re playing against, and we’re playing at their place in really difficult conditions”, Wilson said.

“In the Premiership, in tight games, I’m learning that you’ve got to win it in different ways. We can’t just play one way.

“When it’s pouring down with rain and with these types of conditions, we’ve got to find another way.

“It’s a great win for us, and really important for where we are.”

Quins started strongly in Bristol, with two early penalties from Jarrod Evans setting the tone for the visitors before George Hammond cemented their lead with the game’s first try.

The hosts hit back before the break, as French international Virimi Vakatawa scored his first try for the Bears. Callum Sheedy quickly followed with two penalties to leave the score 11-13 at half time.

Hammond eased the pressure with a second try after the break but Bristol came back with one of their own and another penalty from Sheedy.

The final moments saw Jake Heenan sent to the sin bin for a high tackle, leaving Evans to edge Quins over the line in dramatic style.

Wilson reserved particular praise for try-scorer Hammond, saying: “George has stepped in to run the line out and he’s done it really well.

“It’s really pleasing for him and for us to come away with a win.”

Meanwhile, Bristol Bears coach Pat Lam pointed to missed opportunities for his side. “We’ve only got ourselves to blame for this one,” he said. “We could have won this game, we should have won this game.

“The contrast between the first two games and this game purely comes down to unforced errors and discipline, and that’s what we’ve been working on.”

Saturday’s game demonstrates the narrow margins at the top of the table, with Harlequins now only one point behind third-place Bristol.

Quins host Newcastle on Saturday, while Bristol head south to take on Exeter.