The visitors made an early impression on the scoreboard, with winger Gareth Knox converting a penalty after four minutes. With 15 minutes on the clock, Bath number eight Scott Gray was sent to the sin-bin but Quins failed to make their extra man advantage count and it was the visitors who doubled their lead eight minutes before half-time thanks to a second penalty from Knox.

Six minutes later and Quins opened their account thanks to a lovely try from Barratt. Taumalolo cut through the heart of the Bath midfield and then drew full back Matt Perry, giving the Quins centre a clear run to the line. Taumalolo's conversion went over off the post to give the home side a one-point lead (7-6). However, Knox's third penalty of the night put Bath back in front at the interval.

Seven minutes after the restart and Crowley finished off another cracking move for Quins second try. Flanker Gavin Hart made the telling break down field and good work from Rob Jewell, Matt Moore and Simon Keogh gave Crowley the space he needed to race over for the five points. Taumalolo was on target with the conversion and two penalties from the fly half seemingly put Quins home and dry, as they were in front 20-9 after 57 minutes.

It was then the home sides turn to be reduced to 14 men, with Tom Guest in the sin-bin and Bath started their fight back thanks to a try from lock forward James Hudson, which Knox converted. With just four minutes left on the clock, winger Joe Mbu capitalized on the overlap Bath created down the left flank and the five points took the visitors back in front (21-20). Crucially, Knox failed to add the two extra points on offer.

After forcing Bath to find touch on their own twenty-two, from the resulting lineout the Quins pack drove play right up to the Bath line. After the move broke down, it was backs turn to try and score the match winning try but they too failed to cross the line. However, the referee awarded Quins a penalty in front of the posts, with Bath offside in midfield, and Taumalolo converted the three points from close range.

Bath made one last desperate attempt to win the game, but the Quins defence held out in the time that remained.

Final score, 23-21.

NEC Harlequins: 15. Henry Barratt, 14. Rob Jewell, 13.Tom Allen, 12. Andy Reay, 11. Matt Moore, 10. Josh Taumalolo, 9. Simon Keogh, 1. Laurent Gomez, 2. Cameron Dott, 3. Reg DeJager, 4. Tom Parker, 5. Bill Davison, 6. Gavin Hart, 7. Luke Sherriff (Capt.), 8. Tom Guest

Replacements: 16. Marlow Warrington-Matti, 17. Tom Muggridge, 18. Roy Winters, 19. Duncan James, 20. Sean Crowley, 22. Nd Monye

Scorers:
Tries: Barratt, Crowley
Conversions: Taumalolo (2)
Penalties: Taumalolo (3)

Bath Rugby: 15. Matt Perry, 14. Gareth Knox, 13. Robbie Fleck, 12. Spencer Davey, 11. Joe Mbu, 10. Mitch Burton, 9. Ross Blake, 1. David Barnes (Capt.), 2. Rob Hawkins, 3. Steve Bennett, 4. John Gould, 5. James Hudson, 6. Dan Smith, 7. Sam Hocking, 8. Scott Gray

Replacements: 16. Hentie Martens, 17. Dave Ward, 18. Chas Meddick, 19. Mike Baxter, 20. Wayne Sprangle, 21. Andy Edwards, 22. Jake Babb

Scorers:
Tries: Hudson, Mbu
Conversions: Knox
Penalties: Knox (3)