Both sides were desperate to resume their Prem seasons on a positive note after disappointing campaigns and put their Six Nations stars straight back into domestic action.
Gloucester lost their talisman, Tomos Williams, after just 18 minutes, as the Wales scrum-half went off nursing his right shoulder after an accidental collision.
The returning Smith claimed nine points in an impressive first half, but dropped the ball as Quins looked set to break away for a bonus-point try which would have taken them two scores clear early in the second half.
Gloucester hammered away at the Quins line after a fast start and the pressure told when Clement was allowed to twist in the tackle and drop over the line.
The Famous Quarters had little attacking territory for the opening 15 minutes but just a minute after Williams’ departure, Waghorn drove through three challenges up to the line and spun out of another tackle to dot down.
And the hosts were ahead before the half-hour when quick ball from a ruck close to the Gloucester line allowed Alex Dombrandt to feed Smith for a simple finish.
The visitors stepped up defensively to survive the final 10 minutes of the half after Lewis Ludlow’s yellow card for going in high on Rodrigo Isgro at the breakdown.
In fact the Cherry and Whites could have cut the gap from a scrum penalty on the stroke of half-time, but Charlie Atkinson was off-target with his 40-yard attempt.
Quins dominated the ball after the restart, but Seb Driscoll dropped the ball over the line as he tried to dot down, while a malfunctioning lineout also cost the hosts further promising opportunities.
And they paid the price as Gloucester pounced on a poor pass in midfield and sent Redshaw tearing away down the right touchline for a fine finish.
Kenningham burrowed over from close range to restore the seven-point advantage, but within minutes Atkinson’s slick dummy and finish helped tie the scores.
And the hosts were left wondering what might have been as a penalty earned Gloucester great field position, with Clark eventually making the pressure pay.
