Bester gets best out of Harlequins

Buccaneers 18 Belfast Harlequins 24

Two second-half tries from Harlequins’ busy scrum half Sean Clancy gave the away side a prized victory at Buccs’ Dubarry Park.

Andre Bester’s side were 15-6 down at the break, as the Midlands’ side benefited from a Niall Mullen intercept try midway through the half, and an opening unconverted try from Justin Meagher.

David Connellan converted Mullen’s effort and tagged on a penalty, with Belfast living off three penalty kicks from William Slabbert.

In the second half Connellan was successful with his fourth kick of the day, from just outside the Belfast ’22.

But it turned nasty for the Pirates thereafter, despite holding an 18-6 lead into the final quarter.

Slabbert kicked his fourth penalty on 62 minutes before Clancy struck twice, the second from a set-piece scrum, with the in-form Slabbert adding a conversion to the last one.

Buccs have the small consolation of a bonus point, being within seven.