Quantcast

Harlequins vs Newcastle


We need a photograph!

By Stooperman
April 11 2016

Will the real Harlequins please stand up? Harlequins had been in a poor run of form prior to the visit of Newcastle, having won only one of their five previous matches, a home fixture against Bath which showcased the best and the worst of the current Harlequins team. Having played some imperious rugby to open up an unassailable lead, the other Harlequins team turned up for the last 20 minutes and very nearly let Bath nick it at the death. 

Newcastle likewise had only won one of their previous five outings, a home win against Worcester (something Quins singularly failed to achieve two weeks ago, in a performance which was surely the lowlight of this season.) Harlequins welcomed back Robshaw and Yarde to the fold, and Newcastle added Sinoti and Ally Hogg to their teamsheet. In warm spring sunshine, an expectant but slightly subdued Stoop murmured and buzzed like a hive of slumbering bees, unsure whether the brilliant top four side of early season promise, or the blundering relegation form team of recent weeks would turn up. In the event, as we shall see, it turned out to be both. 

Newcastle kicked off, and within seconds a fantastic move by Quins saw Clifford scythe through Falcons midfield defence, pass the ball on to Horwill who quickly found Botica. Now Bots is many things, and he has a good burst of speed over short distances, but a long distance speedster is not one of his attributes, and despite making the initial hole, he was hauled down by the retreating Falcons defence 10 metres short of the line. Quins support was not up quick enough, and a penalty for holding on to the ball ensued. 

A promising start then, but Newcastle’s second worst defence on the league was nearly matched by Quins third worst, as a wave of side to side attacks made steady ground resulting in a series of forward dominated thrusts at the Quins line from short distance. Progress was only halted when Easter bear-hugged his man and the ball at the bottom of a ruck. It was cynical, and had it been later in the game might have drawn a more severe sanction. Falcons converted the penalty 0-3. 

From the restart Falcons looked to have a good rhythm again as they attacked towards half way…until disaster, a floated pass was read and intercepted by Tim Visser who scorched under the posts unopposed from 35 metres out. 7-3 Quins. 
However, Quins were in generous mood, and a silly penalty for offside compounded by Joe Marler’s naughty bit of handling in a ruck gave Newcastle another shot at goal. 7-6 

A Harlequins penalty in kickable range was kicked to the corner by Botica, much to the approval of the home crowd. The ensuing rolling maul resembled more of a mass sprint, as there was almost no resistance from Falcons pack, and Jack Clifford touched down for a score which was well converted by Botica. 14-6. 
Both sides continued to attack promisingly with ball in hand, but errors were creeping in. As Falcons attacked just outside the Quins 22, the ball was stolen and quickly shipped on. Yarde fed Roberts with a delightful pass which opened up the entire length of the field. Roberts galloped for the line with little or no cover near him, however he seemed not to trust his pace, and was waiting for the moment to pass back to Yarde who was supporting inside him, in the end he waited too long and the cover got between him and Yarde, and he was forced to go to ground. After an impressive burst from Gray, Harlequins win a penalty which they kick to touch 5 metres form Falcons line. Falcons were penalised at the first lineout, and then at the second attempt they burgled the ball from Quins throw..however, as the ball was tapped back on the Falcons side, Joe Gray reacted the quickest, and the ball bounced kindly for him so that all he had to do was fall over the line. 21-6 Harlequins. 

I’m not sure whether Collier or Sinkler was on at this time, as poor old Collier had taken a head injury which bled profusely, leading to him coming on and off at least three times by my count. Both he and Sinckler performed creditably though in what must have been a difficult situation. 
There was just time for a comedy knock on from Danny Care trying to go quickly from a tap penalty and then it was half time. All in all, a decent performance so far by Quins with the promise of a bonus point try in the second half. For Falcons, Delaney had orchestrated the line well, and Sinoti and Tait had looked dangerous, but there was a curious lack of grunt up front for a Dean Richards team.

The second half started in a loose attacking fashion, Clifford trying a flashy offload which failed to find its man, followed by a through the legs pass from Delaney which was a little more accurate. 

Quins had their bonus try shortly afterwards when an attack from a scrum gave Brown the chance to feed Visser who dropped the ball onto his boot and chipped through, following up to take the Newcastle defender into touch and secure the throw in for Quins. From the lineout, Quins went right, then switched back to the left where Botica timed a nice pass to Marchant who fixed his man and slipped between the gap created between two uncertain defenders. 28-6 

At this point, the other Harlequins side decided to turn up. Line speed dropped, basics were forgotten and Newcastle were allowed to display their full range of attacking skills. As Falcons started to play more expansively, Robinson made break down the touchline and did what Roberts could not in the first half, finding his supporting winger Sinoti who raced in to score. The conversion was missed 28-11 

A high ball from Delaney was hoisted towards Yarde who took it well. However, the second half Quins failed to arrive in support and he was penalised for holding on. Falcons kicked to the corner. After several close range attacks featuring Latu and Sinotti, Latu eventually dived over for the try. 28-18 and alarm bells were tinkling gently. 

Falcons were now quicker to the breakdown and looking like they believed again. Soon Merrick was yellowed for a no arms clearout, and there was a real sense of worry amongst the home crowd. Falcons kicked to the corner, and Latu drove over from close range for his second and Falcons third try of the match. 28-25. 
Luckily Falcons composure gve way before Quins did as they gave away a penalty from the restart which Botica slotted. 31-25 
Then some glorious rugby from Quins as a break featuring Sinckler, Brown, Visser,, Roberts, Brown, Visser, Care, Botica and Visser again drove Quins to within 10 metres of the Falcons line. As care sniped for the line he was held on to by Robinson who saw yellow for his offence. The penalty was kicked, 34-25 and a sense of relief all round the ground. 
Replacements started coming on , Ward for Gray . But soon another attack led to Quins fifth try of the day, as a lovely grubber from Marchant was flicked on by Visser and the ball sat up nicely for him to gather and cross for the try. 
Chisholm cam on for Visser, Dickson for Care and Hopper for Marchant. 

However Quins were not finished yet and just before the final whistle, Delaney saw yellow for a swinging arm high tackle on Brown. The ball was kicked to the corner, and not for the first time Newcastle stole Quins lineout ball. As they ran the ball out from their 22, the ball was fumbled, Quins pounced, Botica fed Yarde who raced round the out of position Falcons defence for a score. 

Final score 46-25. The good news was that Marchant, Botica, Care, Visser, in fact the whole Quins back line looked in great nick. The bad news was that yet again, that team of impostors had turned up and nearly lost the match with lapses of concentration. Onwards to the European quarter final then, and we continue to wonder which Quins team will turn up!

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

Harlequins vs Newcastle
Discussion started by ComeAllWithin.co.uk , 11/04/2016 20:04
ComeAllWithin.co.uk
11/04/2016 20:04
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

DOK.
11/04/2016 20:06
Apologies for the late match report! Now, who wants to do the L Irish one for last week?

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net