By Alanquin
January 25 2015
Despite doing everything that could be asked of them in their final pool match, to take their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup, Harlequins failed as Wasps held Leinster to a draw to take second place in Pool 2. Not even the efficient, seven try demolition of Castres 19 – 47 was enough to salvage the effect of the disastrous loss to Wasps at The Stoop last week.
Harlequins started off at pace and continued to play at pace throughout. After ten minutes a penalty was kicked to touch and a five metre lineout was caught and driven with skill and power for Marler to score the first try. Nick Evans converted, as he was to do for all but one of the Quins’ tries during the match. Shortly after, Charlie Walker showed the defence a clean pair of heels as he went over for a try. To each score Castres had responded by creating a try of their own so that the interval approached with the scores level. Then with Quins attacking the French try line, Danny Care, typically, dived over from the base of a ruck and at half time Quins led 14 – 21.
Ten minutes into the second half Jack Clifford cut through to score and shortly afterwards tries from Lambert and Yarde put matters beyond doubt despite a consolation score from Beattie for the home side. Lowe added the seventh try with the last play of the match.
But it was all in vain as Wasps pulled back to level the score in their match with Leinster and the Irish province’s kicker had a poor day with the boot, missing four penalties out of seven to allow the draw that left the points difference in Quins’ matches with Wasps to determine their positions in the Pool.
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