If you wanted a ticket to any game this weekend, Quins Bristol would have been your first choice. Club allegiances aside, if you’re just going for the shits and giggles, the Twickenham Stoop is where excrement and mirth often collides. 

There is a fair amount to be critical about with English Rugby at the moment, but it is difficult to argue with the way Quins and Bears produce a game of rugby. Unsurprisingly, they are also two of the sides getting most correct ‘off the field’, in terms of engagement, exposure and fan energy. Talk to any supporter in the famous quarters or navy blue Bear attire, they’d probably tell you that, on the whole, life is pretty good at the moment. They follow sides who seem to have the intent and positivity you want from sport. Yes, defensively, there might be a few concerns but offensive flair speaks to the hearts of all that watch. Defence is a necessity but you’ll never fully convince me that a perfectly timed tackle is better than a perfectly timed pass. Despite what any bent nosed forward might try and tell you, we play this game for the opening, not the closure. 

Anyway, back and forth at the Stoop we went like a dyslexic postman. Both teams needed a five point win to extend their season and didn’t we all know it. Seven-all quickly became fourteen-all. Edges were pressed, gaps were exploited, forward and backs intertwined themselves so that, literally, anyone could receive the final pass. Mix in the mistakes (this game was not error free): balls bounced loose and runners of some aplomb scampered clear, having claimed the turnover. 

Restarts hung high in the West London air just long enough for us all to whisper ‘let’s go again’. Artists like Malins, Smith, Lynagh and Ibitoye sketched happily, drawing looping lines and giving impressions of all you might want from an oval ball. And in contrast (and yet conjunction), Genge, Harding, Dombrandt, Cunningham-South showed great pictures can be created without engaging your fine motor skills. “I call this one ‘Smash’,” they seemed to say. 

The middle and crucial third belonged to the visitors. Bristol poked a third try before the break and then a fourth straight after the hiatus. Quins looked more and more tired. An emotionally exhausting European Cup run seemed to hang heavy in their limbs. But Quins have individuals who can shake off that slough. Luke Northmore pounced as the ball slid behind the Bristol offensive line and then did something brilliant. Instead of catching the ball, or attempting to kick it at an awkward height, he threw his knee through it and then chased the bouncing ball. The would-be tacklers had to relent and he stole towards the try line. He juggled tantalisingly with the ball before adroitly touching down and the home side were back within a score.

And then they were in front. Chandler Cunningham-South finished off a punishing five minute period, where Bristol tried their best to deal with the various fast moving vehicles being sent their way. CCS, his shorthand moniker, is West London’s new Lamborghini Tractor. As tough as he is swift, as good looking as he is powerful. If Jeremy Clarkson could saddle up any Premiership player, it would probably be the Quins No.6. 

In the stands, phones were being scoured. The noise from north London was unpleasant. Sale were leading in Barnet pretty healthily. Not that the Stoop ever thought Saracens would be their friends. It’s a bit like asking a group of Labradors to mind your 99 flake. I mean, you can want it to happen but those bastards are going to let you down. 

Twickenham’s main game was punctuated by substitutions of last game heroes. Andre Esterhuizen was followed by Will Collier, then Louis Lynagh; they all received a standing ovation in appreciation of the time spent making wonderful memories. But once seats had been retaken, more points were being scored. A lesser spotted penalty was taken to jab Bristol in front for the fourth time and the clock ticked into the last quarter. 

If anything let the Quarters down it was ill discipline. Too many times they were punished by the referee’s whistle and while there will always be accurate passing and fast feet, it is very difficult to win when the referees keeps marching you back ten and giving the opposition the ball. When Jerry Flannery exited the club, other crucial elements of a winning formula also left. Quins top brass may be seriously considering about how better to plug that gap. 

As if to make the point, the fourth and crucial try emerged for the Bears and then the pick of the bunch flourished via Noah Heward down the right wing. Gabriel Oghre piled over with his mates for the half dozen and it was Bristol who would have their hopes dashed by Sale’s superior showing at Saracens. 

You have to feel that both these sides deserved a shot at knockout rugby. Not because they’ve earned it, patently, the league positions would disagree, but both produce a rugby liquor that should be enjoyed by as many as can imbibe it.

Both teams huddled for one final time this season, either side of the halfway line, saying farewell to another campaign and a number of friends. It will be fascinating where both these sides go next year, each will feel there is further to travel but if they keep on doing so while playing such attractive rugby, everyone will have won.