Harlequins have continued their unbeaten run in the Heineken Cup this season with a win over Connacht.
Connacht restricted the Aviva Premiership leaders during the first 15 minutes, matching their performance and keeping within three points of Harlequins.
A penalty try for the hosts late in the first half changed the momentum, allowing Quins to open up a 13-point lead at the break.
Harlequins carried their strong finish to the opening 40 minutes into the second half, Tom Williams adding a try inside the first minute of the second period.
Connacht were reduced to 14 men when Johnny O'Connor was shown a yellow card in the 49th minute, with Fetu'u Vainikolo following his teammate to the sin bin two minutes later, leaving the visitors two men short.
An ill-tempered incident between Joe Marler and Ethienne Reynecke saw both men sin-binned, before O'Connor reduced Quins lead with a try for Connacht at the end of a busy period for referee Neil Paterson.
A strong finish by the home side saw them add three further tries before the final whistle.
Sian Cowper
