Quins survive Cardiff comeback
A Rob Buchanan try kicked off a first-half blitz for Harlequins, before England squad members Marland Yarde and Jack Clifford went over. Ross Chisholm wrapped up the bonus-point before half-time, and Quins were cruising.
But the Blues bounced back in the second period. Dan Fish scored a double to add to tries from Wales stars Cory Allen and Lloyd Williams to claim a try scoring and losing bonus-points, but a last second Ben Botica penalty meant they left the Stoop with only a single bonus-point.
It did not take long for the hosts to stamp their authority on proceedings. Danny Care took a quick tap penalty after a dominant scrum and was stopped just short, before hooker Buchanan burrowed over. Nick Evans converted for a 7-0 advantage after five minutes.
The flying start continued for Quins, and it was their man of the moment Clifford who bagged their second score. The England squad new-boy splintered off a driving maul to crash over, with Evans on-target again to add the extras.
The third try followed soon after, and it was another of Eddie Jones' England inclusions. The home side rumbled down the field again where they were met by some brave Blues defence, but their resolve was finally broken by flying wing Yarde, who went over from close range. And the bonus-point was wrapped up on half-time when Evans delivered a well-weighted kick to wing Chisholm.
Cory Allen finally got the Blues on the board when he cut a devastating line to crash over just after the break. And the visitors were back in it with half-an-hour remaining. The Blues stretched the home defence before swinging the ball wide to Fish, who dived in at the corner. Lloyd Williams was next to go over for the Welsh region as he spotted a gap, before a sublime pass by Patchell found Fish for the bonus-point score.
Challenge Cup Round Five results:
Edinburgh 23-0 Agen
Newport Gwent Dragons 31-18 Castres
Pau 3-27 Sale Sharks
Enisei-STM 24-7 Newcastle Falcons
Calvisano 7-47 Montpellier
Gloucester 20-10 La Rochelle
Worcester Warriors 15-22 Zebre
London Irish 18-28 Grenoble
Brive 21-18 Connacht
Harlequins 34-26 Cardiff Blues
Source: @ERChallengeCup
