WITH both sides out of contention, this European Challenge Cup tie at The Stoop was like a throwback to the old days as both sides, free from the demands of win-at-all-cost, played for fun. What transpired was an open game with some excellent back-line play, but it was Harlequins who fashioned a bonus-point win to end their campaign on a high.

Connacht, whose hopes of reaching the quarter-finals for fifth year in a row went by the wayside when they were caught at the death by both Harlequins and Bath, can now concentrate of climbing back up the Magners League. Harlequins had a cutting edge to their backs throughout and it was this ability to finish openings which helped them to a deserved 19-3 interval.

They got off the mark after just four minutes, working the ball through the phases before Welsh international centre Hal Luscombe supplied the finishing touch in the right corner. Connacht's cause was not helped when out-half Paul Warwick was forced to hobble off with a knee injury after 17 minutes.

Mark McHugh, who moved from the centre to out-half before going off six minutes after the restart with a leg injury, kicked Connacht's only first-half response when he landed a penalty from the 22 after 19 minutes.

But Harlequins continued to build the phases and it was no surprise when they increased their lead after 24 minutes when full-back Mike Brown crossed in the left corner. Adrian Jarvis added the points from the left touchline and when Connacht failed to a deal with a penalty from him which came back off an upright, Harlequins increased their lead. This time it was English international centre Stuart Abbott who was on hand to dive over after 35 minutes, with Jarvis again adding the points.

Notions that Harlequins might cut loose after the break did not materialise as Connacht upped their performance rate. And they were rewarded on the hour mark when a superb break from inside his own half by Gavin Williams shredded the Quins cover and he had scrum-half Conor O'Loughlin on his shoulder to run in his third try of the season.

Peter Durcan, who replaced the injured McHugh for his second appearance for Connacht, notched his first points for the province when he made no mistake with the conversion. Connacht continued to press forward but Harlequins, whose right winger David Strettle looks a great prospect, closed down any gaps. And they secured a bonus point five minutes from time when their Tongan international number eight Chris Hala'Ufia pounced from turnover ball to cross.

Jarvis added his third conversion of the afternoon to close out victory as both sides were left to ponder on a campaign that promised a lot but delivered very little in the end as Bath, Heineken Cup semifinalists last year, advance to the quarter-finals from this pool.

NEC HARLEQUINS M Brown; D Strettle, H Luscombe, S Abbott, S Keogh; A Jarvis, A Gomarsall; A Croall, T Fuga, M Ross, O Kohn, N Spanghero, A Vos, P Volley (capt), C Hala'U"a Subs R Nebbett for Ross, 53 mins; J Evans for Kohn, 53 mins; W Skinner for Vos, 59 mins; U Moyne for Keogh, 69 minsS So'oialo for Gomarsall, 75 mins;

CONNACHT D Riordan; T Robinson, J Hearty, M McHugh, C McPhillips; P Warwick, C O'Loughlin; B Wilkinson, J Fogarty (capt), S Knoop, M Swift, R Strudwick, M Lacey, R O"sa, B O'Connor Subs G Williams for Warwick, inj.

17 mins; P Durcan for McHugh, inj. 46 mins; A Flavin for Fogarty, 51 mins; C Rigney for O'Connor, 51 mins; B Sturgess for Knoop, 51 mins; C Keane for Robinson, 63 mins; A Farley for Swift, inj. 67 mins.

Referee David Changleng (Scotland)