Quins splash down to farcical defeat in France

Bayonne edged a messy Amlin Challenge Cup encounter with Harlequins 16-12 last night as torrential rain put paid to any chance of flowing rugby.

Four Nick Evans penalties put Quins well on top in the first half as only Johnan Pietersen's superb try lifted the gloom for the home side. But a farcical second from Sam Gerber sparked the fightback and the French side kept their noses in front. Benjamin Boyet's kick stuck in a huge puddle, taking Quins' full-back Mike Brown out of the game, and allowed Gerber to splash over in the corner.

On Saturday Exeter made their Amlin Cup debut but were beaten 20-13 by Montpellier at Sandy Park. Tries from Dimitri Pelo and Seta Tuilevuka had put the visitors in charge before Chad Slade touched down in the 68th minute for the West Countrymen, with Phil Dollman converting. However, that was the end of the scoring and Montpellier were comfortable winners.

Meanwhile, Leeds Carnegie beat Bucuresti 23-9 and Connacht suffered a 23-21 defeat to Cavalieri. The Irish side led by five points with two minutes left and looked set to win until Wouter Moore raced the length of the field to score the decisive try.