Thrilling seven-try win for Bristol not enough to make a semi-final

But Williams’ boot and tries from Max Lahiff, Noah Heward and Gabriel Oghre allowed Bristol to take the lead and stretch clear, even if it wasn’t enough to crack the top four.

Pat Lam’s side could not have asked for a better start, with former Quins academy graduate Ibitoye running down the left before Williams crossed after 55 seconds. Sheedy converted from the touchline.

Janse van Rensburg limped over after the restart and Quins equalized when the on-off Andre Esterhuizen burst through a hole before Cunningham-South headed under the posts.

Genge crossed after a wonderful offload by the Bears created space and almost had a second, but the score was ruled out for a Thacker foul.

Instead, Quins equalized through Dombrandt, with Marcus Smith converting from the touchline. A loose ball at midfield then allowed Ibitoye to stretch his legs and run in a third to make it 21-14 for the visitors.

Genge and Sheedy departed in the same spell before the break, but the Bears flew out of the blocks in the second half as Thacker scored with a routine maul score.

Harlequins roared back, bringing back memories of their famous 28-point comeback in the semi-final meeting between these sides three years ago at Ashton Gate.

Northmore showed brilliant football skills for the third try before Cunningham-South headed over for the bonus point try to make it 28-26 for the hosts. But a penalty from Williams restored Bristol’s lead before Lahiff slotted over from close range.

The momentum had shifted for good, with Williams knocking over another penalty before Heward finished off a try from a Max Malins break – the full-back impressing after switching to fly-half.

Harlequins had nothing more to give and Bristol brought up their half-century with another maul try, this time through Oghre.