There was an awful sense of history repeating itself in the first half of the NEC Harlequins v Bristol game with 40 minutes of lack-lustre rugby. Both Bristol and Quins seemed quite content to kick the ball downfield and straight into the hands of an opponent. There were times when game looked more like tennis than rugby union.
NEC Harlequins fly-half, Rob Liley, missed two attempts at penalty goal, Bristol's Steven Vile was more fortunate and in the 17th minute put his first three points on the board, adding another three just before the interval after Steve White-Cooper was found offside.
After the slow start the final moments of the first half were a pleasant contrast. Daren OÃŒLeary dived over the try-line in the corner only for the touch-judge to rule that he had hit the flag on his way over. The Referee, John Barnard, awarded Quins a penalty for offside under the posts and Liley gave NEC Harlequins their first three points. Steven Vile restored BristolÃŒs six point lead three minutes later, but with the half-time whistle only a minute away Brendon Daniel sprinted to catch the ball from Daren OÃŒLearyÃŒs kick down the blindside and touched down in the corner.
Not an easy conversion for anyone but Rob LileyÃŒs kick sailed between the posts to put the score at 10
