Aviva Premiership round-up: Harlequins sneak into play-offs at expense of Bath

Mike Brown's try and four penalties from Nick Evans helped Harlequins sneak into the Aviva Premiership play-offs at the expense of Bath in a winner-takes-all match.

Things began nervily at the Stoop with both teams acutely aware of what was on the line but it was Quins who settled the better and got off the mark first.

Nick Easter, making his club record-equalling 232nd appearance for the hosts, combined well with England captain Chris Robshaw to put Bath on the backfoot. Eventually, scrum-half Danny Care took over, spiralling out a risky long pass that found Mike Brown to scamper over.

Nick Evans added the extras as the Stoop roared its appreciation. However, the hosts had to be wary with Bath immediately seeking a response from kick-off, pushing Quins back to their own line.

It was edgy stuff as Conor O’Shea’s side looked to punch holes in midfield but they continued to find themselves going down blind alleys.

Instead it was England back up fly-half George Ford, who soon silenced the passionate home crowd, picking up the ball outside the host’s 22, sidestepping two tackles and darting through under the posts.

The 21-year-old added the extras himself to level matters and confirm why he is so highly thought of in the game.

Easter thought he marked his record occasion with a try, only for the TMO to correctly rule out Care's pass as being thrown forward to the number eight.

Evans was also guilty of wasting a good kicking opportunity but the former New Zealand fly-half did make amends eventually, booting the hosts back in front to lead 10-7 at the break, however, Ford soon made it all square again.

Both sides continued to trade blows in the second half with Care needing to produce an excellent last ditch tackle to stop Nick Abendanon from scorching over, while Harlequins gained a man advantage when Matt Banahan was sent to the sin bin for illegally playing the ball on the floor.

Despite initially struggling to use the extra man to their advantage, Quins began to turn the screw and two further Evans penalties, the result of good breaks, pushed the hosts six points clear.

However, Bath continued to threaten going forward, as evidenced by the searing 35-yard break by England hopeful Anthony Watson. However, no one could quite keep up with the winger's incredible pace, resulting in the chance being lost.

Ford, though, kept Bath in touching distance with the boot, putting over a kick either side of an Evans three-pointer to make the score 19-16 to Quins going into the final knockings.

Bath continued to seek the draw they needed to claim the final play-off spot, however Ford's errant drop goal attempt brought an end to matters, sparking wild celebrations for Quins, whose reward is a semi-final at table-topping Saracens.

Elsewhere, Northampton claimed second place and a home semi-final by walloping London Wasps 74-13.

The Saints suffered an early scare when Charlie Davies and Tom Varndell tries helped the visitors go 13-0 ahead.

However, from there the hosts never looked back as George North, Phil Dowson, Stephen Myler and Luther Burrell all crossed for a 27-13 lead.

And Northampton refused to take their foot off the gas after the break as Lee Dickson (2), Ben Foden, North, Ken Pisi, Tom Stephenson and Dowson crossed to set up a semi-final with third-placed Leicester.

Full Aviva Premiership results

Harlequins 19-16 Bath

Leicester 31-27 Saracens

London Irish 22-20 Sale

Newcastle 13-23 Exeter

Northampton 74-13 London Wasps

Worcester 28-27 Gloucester