Paul Gustard’s Quins side showcased the brand of rugby they want to play this season despite a 22-19 Gallagher Premiership opening fixture defeat at Exeter.

Quins Head of Rugby praised his side for taking a losing bonus point away from Sandy Park and felt there were plenty of positives from the game.

Gabriel Ibitoye epitomised Quins’ go forward game with a brace of tries, but Jonny Hill’s first half effort and 17-points from Joe Simmonds was not enough for the victory.

Fly-half Marcus Smith added nine points with his boot for the visitors but it wasn’t enough at the home of last season’s beaten Gallagher Premiership finalists.

"We want to be an attacking side and we want to challenge sides," said Gustard.

"I think we have to look at the positives in the game.

"There was a lot of positives but there were also two or three things which didn't go our way.

“On many occasions the ball didn't quite stick, we had a try disallowed in the first few minutes and in the last minutes of the game we still had the courage to play and challenge the Exeter defence which is pleasing.

"I thought Gabriel Ibitoye was excellent.

“He's been working hard on his defensive positioning and his one on one tackles plus his aerial game because going forward he is special.”

Surrey Comet: (PA:Marcus Smith)(PA:Marcus Smith)

Gustard’s counterpart Ali Hepher was equally full of praise for the quarter coloured outfit.

"We did expect it to be this tight,” he said.

“They are a top six side and we knew we would have to be on top of our game to handle them.

"The important thing for us was making sure we stuck on task. There were a couple of times where we didn't do that.

"We've got plenty to work on but it's nice to get off the mark with four points."

Quins welcome Bristol Bears who thumped Bath 43-16 at Asthon Gate on Friday to The Stoop on Saturday.