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WHEN IRISH EYES ARE CRYING: Harlequins 26 London Irish 20


By Will
March 9 2015

With the sun shining and the feel of the first proper day of spring in the air conditions at the Stoop felt right for Quins style of rugby. I have to admit that I was pretty optimistic about the game, despite the previous disappointing games. That is not to say that Irish were going to be a walk over.

The tone was set within the first five minutes with Irish penalised for three high tackles and with Quins threatening the line more infringements meant the first of four penalties went over. Irish too managed to get two penalties to keep in touch. At this point part of me was hoping that the referee would have had enough and issued a yellow card, another part of me thought with Quins luck the card would go to a multi-coloured one.

It took half an hour for a successful attack. The ball going through the hands until Danny Care had the space to scamper through and under the posts. The team seemed to grow in confidence and so a penalty shortly after was kicked to the corner. Horror of horrors the throw went long and the ball has hoofed downfield. Now whether Ross lost sight of the ball or just thought he had extra time he let it bounce and waited patiently for it to fall into his hands. Unfortunately he hadn’t seen James Short steaming up who plucked it out of the air and was away for Irish’s first try.

The second half started with another passage of passing rugby. This time it was Matt Hopper who went under the posts for the score. At this point it seemed that Quins settled back to defend. Although Irish attacked they were kept out until Fowlie, who had been looking dangerous, finally made it through for the last score of the game. Although there was one more Irish attack the defence held solid and the game was won.

My main thoughts on the game were firstly that it is good to have an inside centre playing inside centre rather than two outside centres not providing a variety of threats. Secondly the youngsters are continuing to show ability which when fully realised will make Quins a truly worrying prospect for opposition teams. Finally, what price Minty? Been there done that and still a top international player, invaluable to the squad. What chance of him being the Jason Leonard for the England team in the upcoming world cup?

Whilst we haven’t had the season we may have hoped I am still optimistic about the run in. We may have been found out in the sense that the best way of stopping us is to be as far offside as possible and teams seem to be getting away with it, but with the hoped for warmer weather and harder grounds I look forward to cheering on the lads for the rest of the season. In the meantime I look forward to seeing our internationals in the last two games of the six nations.

 

COME ON YOU QUINS!

 

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WHEN IRISH EYES ARE CRYING: Harlequins 26 London Irish 20
Discussion started by ComeAllWithin.co.uk , 09/03/2015 19:11
ComeAllWithin.co.uk
09/03/2015 19:11
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