Greenwood makes himself at home at No 10

The much-heralded arrival of former Springbok captain Andre Vos at Harlequins coincided with their third successive home victory and a move, however temporary, into mid-table security, but while he worked hard defensively, leading the tackle count and invariably being last off the floor from a ruck, the real attacking architects of a deserved victory were the half-backs, Nick Duncombe and Will Greenwood.

The latter was excellent in an unaccustomed role at stand-off and in very difficult conditions, the constant drizzle making life slippery for both hands and feet, a point acknowledged by the Harlequins head coach, Mark Evans: "It was difficult, so I felt Greenwood did well, but we must remember that he is a very, very talented footballer.

"Vos was what I expected. In great physical shape, he cleared stuff out, made tackles and while I am really pleased, I am not at all surprised. He is a class act."

Vos's introduction to the English game could not have been more inauspicious as Quins failed to win any ball in the first 25 minutes and generally conceded ground to the Bath pack. The sin-binning of Bill Davison for killing the ball in the 15th minute after a quick line-out by Matt Perry had given Simon Danielli space should have resulted in Bath converting their numerical and territorial dominanceinto points.

But one if not two overlaps on the left wing were spurned by poor passing and a failure to straighten the line, and they managed only an Olly Barkley penalty before Davison returned. And this is where they lost the game.

Quins, in contrast, took full advantage of Simon Emms' yellow card for pulling down a maul in the 34th minute by scoring 12 points. It was simple as they pushed Bath back and then Duncombe, effervescent at scrum-half, freed Greenwood, who powered over from close range. The resultant smile suggested that the England centre fancies himself as a No 10.

The second try was precise in execution; accurate and well-timed passes and a good line of running by the powerful Fijian centre Viliame Satala gave Matt Moore the simplest of run-ins. Where Bath had failed by turning over the ball or conceding penalties, Quins claimed the lead and a momentum which they never really relinquished.

Two second-half penalties by the excellent Barkley did brought Bath within six points and his wonderful cover- tackle on Moore saved a certain score, but while game, Bath were devoid of invention.

"They played well in the middle of the pitch," said Evans, "but I can't remember any real chances other than in the first 20 minutes, when we were awful. What encourages me is that we are more resilient. We still have seven players out and yet we have a depth to cover. This team are making progress on coming together, it takes time but we are getting there."

Now Vos and the players will have to become familiar with each other. Already he is part of the on-field decision- making process, and many a Quin on the floor turned their head to see him alongside. With such a player it is unlikely the getting-to-know-you phase will take long.

Harlequins: N Williams; M Moore, V Satale, N Greenstock, B Gollings; W Greenwood, N Duncombe; J Leonard (capt), T Fuga, L Gomez (B Starr, 55), B Davison, A Codling, A Tiatia, T Diprose, A Vos.

Bath: M Perry; S Danielli (T Voyce, 49), K Maggs, M Tindall (A Crockett, 72), O Barkley; C Malone, G Cooper; S Emms, J Humphreys (A Long, 69), A Galasso, S Borthwick, D Grewcock ( capt), J Scaysbrook, N Thomas (A Lloyd, 64), D Lyle (A Beattie, 41).

Referee: A Rowden (Berks).