Hill throws in the towel

Head coach Hill watched his side slump to their ninth league defeat of the campaign after a second half to forget at the Memorial Stadium.

"I can now plan for next year by bringing young lads in, rest a few of the old soldiers who have been battling on, let those who need minor operations have them - so basically start planning for next season." said Hill.

He added: "There was just a little more riding on the match for Quins than there was for Bristol - and that showed through,

"Heineken Cup is out the window for us.

The visitors, drawing 8-8 at the interval, scored tries through wing Charlie Amesbury, full-back Mike Brown, replacement hooker Gary Botha and lock George Robson.

Fly-half Adrian Jarvis kicked a penalty and a conversion - with one goal from replacement fly-half Chris Malone.

Jarvis, joining Bristol next season, was yellow-carded early in the second half - and during his spell in the sin-bin, the hosts were awarded a penalty try to add to the first-half touchdown from wing Tom Arscott - with fly-half Tom Barnes kicking a conversion and a penalty.

Quins director of rugby Dean Richards said: "Full credit to the young boys again - they played very, very well.

"The beauty is that the youngsters are maturing with every game, and they're learning with every game as well."